 |
Mercedes-Benz Cars pushes electric initiative in South-East Asia with battery production in Thailand
14.03.2018: Mercedes-Benz Cars pushes electric initiative in South-East Asia with battery production in Thailand
Strategic investment
Announcement of strategic investment in Thailand: (from left to right) Mr. Andreas Lettner, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Manufa
|
Mercedes-Benz Cars pushes electric initiative in South-East Asia with battery production in Thailand
Strategic investment
Announcement of strategic investment in Thailand: (from left to right) Mr. Andreas Lettner, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Manufacturing (Thailand) Limited, Mr. Michael Grewe, President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz (Thailand) Limited, Dr. Uttama Savanayana, Minister of Industry (Thailand), Mr. Markus Schaefer, Member of the Divisional Board of Management Mercedes-Benz Cars, Production and Supply Chain, H.E. Peter Prügel, German Ambassador to Thailand, Mr. Veerachai Chaochankij, Managing Director of Thonburi Automotive Assembly Plant Company Limited, reveal plans to build a battery factory for Mercedes-Benz Cars and enhance car production in Thailand.
Global battery production network of Mercedes-Benz Cars will consist of six factories on three continents reacting flexibly and efficiently to market demand.
Mercedes-Benz Cars and local partner TAAP will further deepen their cooperation and will jointly invest a total of more than 100 Million Euros in their manufacturing footprint in Bangkok, addressing growing demand for electric mobility in the region.
Investment will go into plant extension and in a new battery production facility.
In total, the investment will create more than 300 additional jobs at the site.
Markus Schäfer, Member of the Divisional Board of Management Mercedes-Benz Cars, Production and Supply Chain: “The electric initiative in the flexible and efficient global production network of Mercedes-Benz Cars is progressing well and with ultimate speed. As part of our strategy, we are now preparing for the future of electromobility in Thailand together with our partner TAAP. With our highly standardized and scalable battery production concept we are able to start operations in any region at short notice and at the right size."
With a strategic decision Mercedes-Benz Cars is enhancing the manufacturing footprint in South-East Asia addressing growing demand for electric mobility in the region. Together with local partner Thonburi Automotive Assembly Plant (TAAP), the German carmaker will invest a total of over 100 Million Euros in the production operations in Bangkok until 2020.
The investment will go into an extension of the existing car plant and into a new battery assembly built on the site ensuring availability of cutting-edge technology for electrified and “EQ Power” Plug-In Hybrid vehicles produced in Thailand.
“The electric initiative in the flexible and efficient global production network of Mercedes-Benz Cars is progressing well and with ultimate speed. As part of our strategy, we are now preparing for the future of electromobility in Thailand together with our partner TAAP.
With our highly standardized and scalable battery production concept we are able to start operations in any region at short notice and at the right size. The battery production in Thailand will enhance our global battery production network to six factories on the three continents,” states Markus Schäfer, Member of the Divisional Board of Management Mercedes-Benz Cars, Production and Supply Chain.
Thanks to a standardized production and plant concept, the battery production concept of Mercedes-Benz Cars can be scaled in such a way that various value-added stages as well as production concepts can be implemented flexibly and in line with the markets worldwide.
Dr. Uttama Savanayana, Minister of Industry in Thailand: “ Mercedes-Benz is one of the world’s biggest carmakers and a leading manufacturer in Thailand with its world-class standards of products and services. The company’s investment in Thailand generates a currency inflow and contributes to the economic, technological and social developments of our country.
Mercedes-Benz has applied for promotional privileges for its new investment in Plug-In Hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) production, which coincides with Thailand’s automotive industry development towards the future of electric vehicles and supply chain development.
This new move reflects the confidence that the German carmaker has in Thailand as its key production base in this region. The investment will also bring to Thai people an opportunity to heighten their competence with better know-how and higher technologies than conventional auto-part production, which will contribute significantly to the progress of Thailand’s automotive industry and drive the nation’s development strategy towards tangible results.”
By 2022, Daimler will electrify the entire portfolio of Mercedes-Benz, offering customers at least one electrified alternative in all segments from compact cars to large SUVs.
The company is planning to offer more than 50 electrified vehicle variants. Mercedes-Benz will be continuously supporting the development of Plug-In Hybrids and the introduction of 48-volt-systems. The first EQ series model- the EQC - will go into production in 2019 in Bremen, Germany.
The product and technology brand EQ is an integral part of CASE, which stands for the intelligent combination of the strategic pillars of connectivity (Connected), autonomous driving (Autonomous), flexible use (Shared & Services) and electric drive systems (Electric).
Sixth Mercedes-Benz factory to produce batteries
The battery production in Bangkok will be part of the global battery production network of Mercedes-Benz Cars for local demand and export. In total, Daimler will invest more than one billion Euros in the battery production network, which will also include production facilities in Germany, the U.S. and China.
As in vehicle production, the battery production network will react flexibly and efficiently to market demand. This strategy ensures the ongoing availability of modern battery technology through local production hubs and puts Mercedes-Benz in a highly competitive position for its electric initiative. Local production of batteries in Thailand is planned to start by 2019.
Confidence in the potential of Thailand’s passenger car market
Part of the joint investment of Mercedes-Benz Cars and local partner TAAP is the extension of the existing car plant leading to a substantial increase in the production portfolio, adding new models.
Michael Grewe, President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz (Thailand) Limited: “At Mercedes-Benz Thailand, we are committed to offering ‘ THE BEST’ to our customers today and tomorrow. The current investment reflects our confidence in the potential of Thailand’s passenger car market, especially for Plug-In-Hybrid Models.
Our current portfolio is extremely popular with our customers and we are pleased to continue offering a broad portfolio of locally produced vehicles in future.” In 2017, thanks to a double-digit growth rate Mercedes-Benz achieved its highest ever unit sales in Thailand with more than 14,000 units sold. The best-selling models were the E-Class Saloon, the C-Class Saloon and the CLA Coupé. Mercedes-Benz Thailand currently offers a range of nine locally-assembled models.
Plug-In Hybrid models are particularly popular, with the C- and S-Class and the GLE Plug-In Hybrids (fuel consumption combined, combined CO₂ emissions: 2.4-2.1 l/100 km, 54-48 g/km; 2,8 l/100 km, 65 g/km; 3,3 l/100 km, 78 g/km) and most recently launched, the E 350e Avantgarde, E 350e Exclusive and E 350e AMG Dynamic (fuel consumption combined: 2,1 l/100 km; combined CO₂ emissions: 78 g/km). Mercedes-Benz has been market leader amongst premium manufacturers in Thailand for 17 years in a row, since 2001.
Crucial for the success story of Mercedes-Benz in Thailand is the close cooperation of Mercedes-Benz Manufacturing Thailand and partner TAAP, who operates the plant in Bangkok. In 2017 alone, TAAP produced over 12,000 cars for Mercedes-Benz.
The plant currently employs over 1.000 people. It is expected that, once completed, the investment will create more than 300 additional jobs at the site, thereof nearly 100 for battery production alone.
Andreas Lettner, CEO Mercedes-Benz Manufacturing Thailand: “With the expansion of our plant and the future production of batteries here at the Bangkok site, we are once again intensifying our cooperation with TAAP and preparing ourselves for the future of mobility.
This is also a great opportunity for our employees, who will be trained for their new, highly qualified tasks in order to be optimally prepared for future state-of-the art technologies. We are committed to strengthening our regional footprint and the successful collaboration with our Thai partners.
The cooperation with TAAP, our local partners and the Thai authorities is excellent and we receive the support that we need in order to be able to continue producing successfully.”
Mercedes-Benz ensures that all vehicles produced in the global production network of Mercedes-Benz Cars meet the high quality standards of the brand wherever they are produced. During the ramp-up of new models or technologies, employees in Thailand are supported by an experienced team to familiarize themselves with the production processes.
Mr. Veerachai Chaochankij, Managing Director of Thonburi Automotive Assembly Plant Company Limited: “TAAP is proud to be entrusted by Mercedes-Benz Manufacturing Thailand as the manufacturing partner for the new site in the global battery production network of Mercedes-Benz Cars.
Our new battery factory is being built on a land plot of 30 rai (48.000 m2) near the existing car assembly plant of Mercedes-Benz in Thailand. It will meet battery demand for Plug-In Hybrids in the Thai market. The production will start at the beginning of 2019. We are aware that competencies of production staff are vital to the global production network of Mercedes-Benz Cars.
With a firm commitment to quality production grounding on our strong belief in people, network and high workmanship, production competencies of our people will be reinforced with relevant skills and technical knowledge in Plug-In Hybrid batteries.
As part of our preparation for the start of production, this will ensure that the quality of batteries from this Thai production is second to none globally”.
- Mathias Krust, photo Mercedes
Permanent-URL:
|
Volkswagen Group to expand production of electric vehicles worldwide
14.03.2018
|
| ... on a massive scale "Roadmap E" is picking up speed: 16 production sites for electric vehicles by the end of 2022 Future partnerships with battery manufacturers agreed for Europe and China more >> |
Alliance Renault Nissan Mitsubishi leadership appointments to accelerate synergies
14.03.2018
|
| From April 1st, additional convergence will be put in place to accelerate synergies in key operational areas as part of the Alliance 2022 mid-term plan. Renault, Nissan and Mitsubishi today announced that they have met with the necessary emp more >> |
ULI/PwC report: Global real estate industry remains strong
14.03.2018
|
| Amidst a late-cycle property market and evolving business modelsDespite being late in its cycle, the global real estate market is benefiting from strong returns for investors and a positive global economic outlook, according to Emerging Trends in Real Estate® more >> |
SEAT Achieves the Highest Operating Profit in its History
14.03.2018
|
| Record Setting Results• The carmaker earns 191 million euros in 2017, an increase of 24.8%• Turnover grows by 11.2% to stand at close to 10 billi more >> |
Audi profit-sharing bonus increases to €4,770
13.03.2018
|
| Chairman of the General Works Council Peter Mosch: “We were committed to the increase, because it’s the deserved reward for the outstanding commitment of our workforce in the 2017 financial year.” Audi&rsquo more >> |
Opel stärkt internationales Geschäft mit Fertigung in Namibia
12.03.2018
|
| • Grandland X wird noch dieses Jahr im neuen Joint Venture-Werk der Groupe PSA in Walvis Bay montiert• Weiterer Schub für Geschäft im Süden Afrikas erwartet• Wachstum außerhalb Europas Kern von Strategieplan PACE! more >> |
Audi sales continued to grow in February
12.03.2018
|
| Worldwide around 130,950 deliveries (+4.6%) China and United States as growth engines Sales chief Bram Schot: “we keep on expanding our luxury-class” more >> |
Porsche AG extends Albrecht Reimold’s contract by five years
12.03.2018
|
| Supervisory Board confirms its trust in the Member of the Executive Board for Production and LogisticsThe Supervisory Board of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG has made the early decision to extend Al more >> |
Porsche SE: Aufsichtsrat soll auf zehn Mitglieder erweitert werden
10.03.2018
|
| Weitere Familienmitglieder der vierten Generation und externe Sachverständige ziehen in das Gremium einDer Aufsichtsrat der Porsche Automobil Holding SE (Porsche SE), Stuttgart, schlägt der Hauptversammlung am 15. Mai 2018 in Stuttgart vor, eine Erweiterung des Aufsichtsrats von sechs auf zehn Mitglieder im Wege einer Satzungsänderung zu b more >> |
Porsche SE: Dividendenvorschlag von 1,76 Euro je Vorzugsaktie
10.03.2018
|
| Ausschüttungssumme steigt auf 538 Millionen EuroVorstand und Aufsichtsrat der Porsche Automobil Holding SE (Porsche SE), Stuttgart, schlagen der Hauptversammlung am 15. Mai 2018 in Stuttgart für das abgelaufene Geschäftsjahr 2017 eine Dividende in Höhe von 1,76 (im Vorjahr 1,01) Euro je Vorzugsaktie und 1,754 (im Vorjahr 1,004) Euro je Stammaktie vor. more >> |
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars announces new director of sales and marketing
08.03.2018
|
| Rolls-Royce has announced that Henrik Wilhelmsmeyer will join Rolls-Royce Motor Cars as Director of Sales and Marketing from 3 April 2018.Wilhelmsmeyer is extremely familiar with Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, having served as Director for Region China fro more >> |
Audi restructures business in China with FAW
07.03.2018
|
| Audi and FAW establish new sales company Second joint venture for mobility and digital services Audi China President Wedler: „Realize fundamental steps of our 10-year growth plan“ more >> |
Porsche places a Schuldschein loan worth 280 million euro
05.03.2018
|
| Significant oversubscription due to high demandPorsche AG has issued a Schuldschein loan to the value of 280 million euro. The promissory note was structured in tranches with maturities of five, seven and ten years and with both fixed and variable interest rates on offer. A high level of demand meant that the order book more >> |
Daimler Mobility Services purchases Europcar Group’s 25% stake in car2go Europe GmbH
01.03.2018
|
| Daimler Mobility Services to hold 100% of car2go Europe after approval by the relevant authorities Daimler is poised to further expand its mobility portfolio &nbs more >> |
Daimler to expand local Mercedes-Benz production with its partner in China
26.02.2018
|
| Daimler and BAIC announce plans to expand local production of Mercedes-Benz vehicles due to expected market demand in China Local production hub Beijing Benz Automotive Co. Ltd. ( more >> |
Daimler AG welcomes Li Shufu as new long-term shareholder
24.02.2018
|
| Daimler AG confirms that the entrepreneur Li Shufu has acquired 9.69% (103,619,340 shares) of the company. Daimler is pleased to announce that with Li Shufu it could win another long-term orientated shareholder, which is convinced by Daimler’s innovation strength, the strategy and the future potential.Daimler knows and appreciates Li Shufu as an especially knowledgeable more >> |
Opel Vauxhall Finance stellt Strategieplan vor
16.02.2018
|
| ... um Umsatzwachstum von Opel/Vauxhall zu unterstützenOpel CEO Michael Lohscheller und Alexandre Sorel, CEO Opel Vauxhall Finance (rechts)• 100 Tage nach der Akquisition d more >> |
Renault performance achieves historic record including sales, revenues, operating margin and net income
16.02.2018
|
| 2017 FINANCIAL RESULTS: Registrations increased 8.5% to 3.76 million units. Group revenues increased by 14.7% to €58,770 million (+9.4% exclu more >> |
Groupe Renault Board of Directors communication
15.02.2018
|
| Communication from the board of directors following the meeting of February 15, 2018The Groupe Renault Board of Directors, acting upon the recommendation of the Appointments and Governance Committee, has proposed the renewal of Mr. Carlos Ghosn’s posi more >> |
Renault Board of Directors proposes appointment of Messrs. Pierre Fleuriot and Thierry Derez as New Independent Directors
15.02.2018
|
| On the proposal of the Appointment and Governance Committee, the Board of Directors of Renault proposed at its meeting held on February 15, 2017, the appointment of Messrs. Pierre Fleuriot and Thierry Derez as new independent directors, as successors to Messrs. Marc Ladreit de La more >> |
Liqui Moly Bilanz 2017
13.02.2018
|
| 532 Millionen Euro Umsatz52 Millionen Euro Gewinn11.000 Euro Prämie für jeden4 Millionen Euro Spende Nebenbei auch mein Geburtstag - der 61te. Und weil wir das so wollen, haben wir auch die Liqui more >> |
China and North America substantially boost Audi sales in January
10.02.2018
|
| Around 149,100 deliveries worldwide, up 20.3 percent Sales chief Bram Schot: “Good start to the new year” Deliveries of the A4/A5 family increase by half more >> |
Mercedes-Benz makes best-ever start to a year with more than 193,000 vehicles sold
06.02.2018
|
| With a plus of 8.4%, Mercedes-Benz started the new year with a new sales record (193,414 units). More cars were delivered to customers in the regions Europe (+5.9%) and Asia-Pacific (+14.4%) than ever before i more >> |
Mitsubishi Motors Reports Nine-Month Financial Results for FY2017
05.02.2018
|
| Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) today announced nine-month financial results for the period to December 31, 2017, and issued a new forecast for its full-year fiscal results ending March 31, 2018. For the nine-month peri more >> |
Honda Sets All-Time Calendar Year Production Records for Automobile Production
02.02.2018
|
| ... Worldwide, Overseas, in Asia and ChinaHonda Motor Co., Ltd. today announced a summary of automobile production, Japan domestic sales, and export results for the calendar year 2017 as well as for the mont more >> |
Toyota sells 1.52 million electrified vehicles in 2017
02.02.2018
|
| ... three years ahead of 2020 targetMilestone puts Toyota on track to achieve its 2030 target of 5.5 million electrified vehicle sales per year as part of its “Environmental Challenge 2050” more >> |
BMW Group Middle East Reflects on Successful 2017
31.01.2018
|
| A Record Year for BMW 7 Series.- Brand saw an 8% increase in sales in December 2017 compared to December 2016. - Most successful year ever for 7 Series which accounted for 18% of volume. - The new MINI Cou more >> |
McLaren Automotive announces participation in Prime Minister's UK Trade delegation to China
30.01.2018
|
| Imports of the 570S Spider and 720S expected to begin with McLaren planning to double sales in China this year McLaren Automotive continues to expand Chinese presence with 10 retailers and new sites set to be adde more >> |
Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi sells 10.6 million vehicles in 2017
30.01.2018
|
| Combined sales by Renault, Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors rise 6.5% to 10,608,366 units in 2017 – one in nine passenger cars and light commercial vehicles sold worldwide Zero-emission leadership maintai more >> |
BMW Group Financial Services announces the Car & Ride Sharing Lease
29.01.2018
|
| BMW Group has a longstanding commitment to leading the way in mobility services by anticipating evolving customer needs and offering products that meet them. One of the biggest shifts in the automotive industry is the adoption of the sharing economy. Increasingly customers are looking for platforms which allow them to earn additional income by renting th more >> |
Volkswagen Group South Africa completes major investment programme
25.01.2018
|
| ...and launches new VW Polo Photo Caption : Premier of the Eastern Cape, the Hon. Phumulo Masualle; Chairman and Managing Director of Volkswagen Group South Africa, Mr. Thomas Schaefer; Deputy Minist more >> |
IMF Global Growth Outlook
22.01.2018
|
| The IMF is predicting an uptick in global growth in coming years, in part due to the impact of US tax cuts spurring investment and spending, the organization announced Monday.Global GDP growth will rise to 3.9% in 2018 and stay at that level in 2019 according to the figures released in the latest update to the World Economic Outlook report.“Well 2 more >> |
Toyota announces new investment in its French car plant
22.01.2018
|
| • Toyota Motor Manufacturing France (TMMF) in Valenciennes to be upgraded to enable future production based on Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA).• Investment of mor more >> |
Global sales results in 2017 - New record for Groupe Renault
15.01.2018
|
| .... with 3.76 million vehicles sold, a rise of 8,5 %• 3.76 million vehicles sold, a rise of 8.5% in a market that grew 2.3%.• A record year f more >> |
Volkswagen brand sets delivery record in 2017
15.01.2018
|
| 6.23 million vehicles handed over to customers worldwide Deliveries up 4.2 percent on previous year Most successful December in history of Volkswagen brand Tiguan family with record deliveries more >> |
Automobili Lamborghini achieves another record year
15.01.2018
|
| 3,815 cars delivered to customers in 2017 • Lamborghini increases worldwide sales by 10% from 3,457 to 3,815 deliveries• Global sales grow for seventh consecutive year• & more >> |
Audi closes 2017 with new record-breaking sales
12.01.2018
|
| 1,878,100 automobiles sold:Following a difficult start, successful year-end closing with sales up 0.6 percent Sales chief Bram Schot: “Demonstrated strength and brand attraction” more >> |
Porsche again sets new records for deliveries
11.01.2018
|
| Four per cent more vehicles delivered worldwide in 2017The upward trend continued in 2017, as Porsche AG has delivered around 246,000 vehicles to customers worldwide in the last year. With this figure, the Stuttgart-based sports car manufacturer e more >> |
BMW Group and Codelco agree on cooperation to establish the Responsible Copper Initiative.
11.01.2018
|
| • Transparency in the copper supply chain will increase through the cooperation with Codelco • Sustainability from copper mining to installation in the automobile will be ensured • Together with many stakeholders, the Responsible Copper Initiative will set new standards in the copper supply chain more >> |
