Mercedes-Benz has confirmed that it will start producing passenger vehicles in Russia from 2019.
The Daimler-backed brand has started construction of a new “fully flexible” (essentially meaning that several architectures can be produced on one assembly line) passenger car plant in the Moscow region, which is scheduled to start building the E-Class sedan in 2019.
The Stuttgart-based automaker says production of three SUV models – the GLE, GLC and GLS – will follow thereafter.
In total, the brand says it is investing more than €250-million in the project, which will be managed by a newly founded company dubbed Mercedes-Benz Manufacturing RUS, headed by new site manager Axel Bense. The venture is expected to create more than 1 000 on-site jobs.
The new Moscovia plant will form part of the Esipovo industrial park and will cover all production steps, from body shop to paint shop and final assembly, on a land area of about 85 hectares.
Sindelfingen in Germany will remain the lead plant for the E-Class.
