Daimler launches SOP of GLA SUV in Brazil plant

Five months after its Brazil plant opening, Mercedes-Benz has launched SOP of a second model at its new passenger-car plant in Iracemápolis - the GLA.

The compact GLA SUV will be flexibly assembled on the same line as the C-Class Sedan. Both models are bestsellers of Mercedes-Benz in the Brazilian premium market.

“By expanding the local production in Brazil we are consistently strengthening our global competitiveness,” says Markus Schäfer, member of the divisional board of Mercedes-Benz Cars, manufacturing and supply chain management. “With the launch of the GLA in Iracemápolis we are setting new standards in terms of flexibility and efficiency.”

“For the first time, vehicles with front and rear-wheel drive are rolling off the same assembly line in one of our plants,” he added. “This makes Iracemápolis benchmark within the global production network of Mercedes-Benz Cars.”

Daimler claims “highly flexible” production is achieved through a low degree of automation in the assembly.

As a qualification measure for the production of the GLA, Brazilian employees were sent to the sister plants in Pune, India, and in Kecskemét, Hungary.

On-site, they could get familiar with the production processes in order to pass-on their knowledge to their colleagues in Ircaemápolis as multipliers. The company thereby ensures that all vehicles meet the high quality standards of Mercedes-Benz wherever they are produced.

“Our employees are highly motivated,” claims Christ Wittke, plant manager Mercedes-Benz Iracemápolis plant. “With the support of the production network, we were optimally prepared for the launch of the GLA. The team did a great job managing the production start of two models within just a few months.”

The Iracemápolis plant is located in the São Paulo region and was opened in March 2016. It is part of the global assembly network of Mercedes-Benz. This network also includes the production facilities in India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. At these locations, Mercedes-Benz produces vehicles in various extension levels for local markets.