Mercedes’ plans on Romanian plant
Shrawan May 20, 2008
Mercedes-Benz currently has 17 production plants across the world and 18th one isn’t too far away. Eastern Europe looks is the next target for Mercedes-Benz as it is finalizes plans of setting up a plant in that region. Reports from Automotive News suggest that the western Romanian county of Timis is the shortlisted area where the plant will be constructed.
It is also predicted that Mercedes will concentrate building and selling the low-end models, A and B-Class cars initially as they make more sense than luxury sedans and SUV’s in a developing region.
The final call according to a county authority, will be made within three weeks. Speculations made by the local media earlier this year suggested that the plant would be located in the northwest county of Cluj. Interestingly Cluj is the same place where Nokia is establishing its facilities presently.
Daimler’s CEO Dieter Zetsche told a German newspaper earlier this month that the company would probably decide in the second quarter where to build a new plant for Mercedes compact cars, with a site in eastern Europe being the most favorable spot.
Looks like Mercedes seldom make poor decisions. Setting up a plant in Romania would be profitable in the long run as the small cars can be distributed to all parts of Europe. Renault did it with the Logan, and that proves that Romania is friendly to cars which appeal to the cost conscious customer.
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The Mercedes SL 63 and SL 65 receives many changes than the previous SL model line. The new 2009 SL model is more powerful, for the SL 65 which is powered by a twin-turbo 6.0-liter V12 engine that puts out 612 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque. The slightly less powerful SL 63 puts out 525 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque from its 6.3L V8 engine. All that power is put to the ground through a new seven-speed MCT (multi-clutch) transmission that is only available for the SL 63 AMG.