Factory Tour

One of the fastest and most effective ways to gain an advantage in a high cost low volume market is to localise a large section of the components present in the vehicle. This is a growing trend among luxury manufacturers in India whose fight for the top step of the podium is a closely matched one. It seems then that Mercedes-Benz has taken the first step forward with the opening of a second phase at its Chakan production plant.

We were witness to the opening and roll out of the first cars from the new plant and you can find photos and text of our experience listed below.

A. The second phase of the Mercedes-Benz plant is located within the premises of German automaker’s premises in Chakan.

B. The new phase expands their production capacity to 20,000 units annually and has come on the back of an Rs 1000 crore investment.

C. It was inaugurated by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on June 11. He witnessed the roll out of the first fully completed vehicle.

D. The first car to be produced at the plant is the GLA crossover which now has a 40 per cent level of localisation. We were lucky to be treated to the sight and sound of a GLA-Class’ 2.2-litre engine being cranked for the first time after being installed in the engine bay of the premium crossover.

E. It is expected to be joined by the CLA sedan and A-Class hatchback in the future.

F. However, these are flexible production lines and can be adjusted to produce any of the German automaker models making this one of their few plants that can produce models based on their MRA (Modular rear architecture), MHA (Modular high architecture) and the MFA (Modular front architecture) platform.

G. All work is done by technicians employed from technical schools in and around the region for the simple reason that the advantages of human dexterity are far higher than that of a machine doing the equivalent process.

H. One of the major additions to this plant is the introduction of a synchronised conveyor system which allows the cars that are being assembled to be mounted onto stands. This ensures that if the lines move forward then work will not have to stop to lock the other vehicles in place.

I. The plant in addition to assembling the cars also has extensive testing and measurement facilities like X-road–dynamic testing and programming of cars, frequency controlled measurements for accuracy, shower testing cabin–for simulation of real rain test, high pressure jets and dynamic movement of cars to ensure that all products leaving the assembly line are of the highest quality.

The expansion in facility will only mean, others will have to step up the game to be relevant in the fast growing Indian market. The last few months have been murky, but till the time customers get the best cars everyone is a winner.