EAST London will be the manufacturing hub for Daimler Trucks and Buses Southern Africa, now a separate legal entity from Mercedes-Benz South Africa.
That’s according to the new company’s Chief Executive Jasper Hafkamp, who said this was in line with Daimler AG’s new strategy that splits the business into three: Daimler Mobility AG (financial and mobility services), Mercedes-Benz AG (passenger cars and vans) and Daimler Truck AG (trucks and buses).
He added that the establishment of the new legal entity “will sharpen our strategic focus and provide the entrepreneurial freedom to respond quickly and flexibly to the unprecedented changes happening in the automotive industry.
“Becoming a standalone entity enables us to concentrate fully on our customers and enter into more flexible partnerships for the future success of the business. As such, 2019 promises to be an exciting year, and one that is full of opportunities.”
In addition to the new corporate structure, the company will also be expanding its product range within the Southern African region.
“DTBSA will continue to operate in the truck and buses market for our customer’s benefit by providing optimal experience, value-added and tailored applications and services as well as attractive Daimler brands in Mercedes-Benz trucks, Mercedes-Benz Buses, FUSO and Freightliner (parts & services),” Hafkamp said.
DTBSA also assembles Mercedes-Benz trucks and buses, as well as FUSO trucks from its East London manufacturing plant.