Ramp-up in the global production network: Start of production of the Mercedes Benz A Class L Sedan in Beijing

• Seven months after the first new A-Class rolled of the line in the #mercedesbenz plant in Rastatt (Germany), the ramp-up cascade of the new compact cars successfully continues at Beijing-Benz #automotive Co. Ltd (BBAC) in China.
• Beijing marks the fifth production start of the new A-Class within the global production network, with previous ramp-ups in Rastatt (Germany), Kecskemét (Hungary), Uusikaupunki (Finland) and Aguascalientes (Mexico).
• The A-Class L Sedan is the first long wheelbase model in the local premium compact sedan segment, exclusively produced for China.
• Markus Schäfer, Member of the Divisional Board of #mercedesbenz Cars, Production and Supply Chain: “With the ramp-up of the new A-Class L Sedan at BBAC in Beijing we are successfully continuing and finishing our unrivalled ramp-up cascade for the new compact cars this year.”
• Hubertus Troska, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, responsible for Greater China: “In 2016, we celebrated the one-millionth vehicle locally produced at BBAC. Just two years later, we reached the milestone of two million ‘Made in China, for China’ cars that clearly shows the impressive growth of our business, thanks to the support of our local customers."

Stuttgart/Beijing – The ramp-up cascade of the new A-Class has reached its next step in Beijing: With the start of production of the long wheelbase version at Beijing-Benz #automotive Co. Ltd (BBAC) in China Mercedes‑Benz Cars continues its worldwide production of the new A‑Class. With Beijing as its fifth location, the global ramp-up cascade of the new compact car family successfully reached its finish line. Around 400 guests joined BBAC to celebrate its latest addition to the “Made in China, for China” portfolio, which now includes five local models. Furthermore, the joint venture reached the production milestone of 2,000,000 locally produced #mercedesbenz vehicles.

“Since our first locally produced #mercedesbenz rolled off the production line over a decade ago, our business has shown rapid development here in China. In 2016, we celebrated the one-millionth vehicle locally produced at BBAC. Just two years later, we reached the milestone of two million ‘Made in China, for China’ cars that clearly shows the impressive growth of our business, thanks to the support of our local customers. This is also a mark of our long-standing, close cooperation with BAIC Group and our joint efforts in the Chinese #automotive industry”, says Hubertus Troska, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, responsible for Greater China.

The new A-Class is the first model in the fourth generation of compact cars and replaces the preceding model produced since 2012. The A-Class L Sedan is specially designed to meet the needs of Chinese customers. The notchback model features a 6 cm longer wheelbase (2789 instead of 2729 mm) and is a variant developed solely for the Chinese market and produced exclusively at Beijing Benz #automotive Co., Ltd, a joint venture between Daimler and its Chinese partner BAIC. After the lead plant in Rastatt, the Hungarian plant in Kecskemét, the Finnish plant of our production partner Valmet #automotive in Uusikaupunki and the joint venture production plant COMPAS (Cooperation Manufacturing Plant Aguascalientes) in Aguascalientes (Mexico), Beijing has started the production of the new A-Class L Sedan. As the A-Class (hatchback) is produced in Rastatt, Kecskemét and Uusikaupunki, the A-Class Sedan rolls off the line in Aguascalientes.

“With the ramp-up of the new A-Class L Sedan at BBAC in Beijing we are successfully continuing and finishing our unrivalled ramp-up cascade for the new compact cars this year. Within seven months, our production strategy has enabled us to bring three new A-Class models to five plants on three continents”, says Markus Schäfer, Member of the Divisional Board of #mercedesbenz Cars, Production and Supply Chain.

For the start of production of the A-Class, apprentices from the Rastatt plant produced a steering wheel model using modern additive production processes such as 3D printing. The steering wheel has a screen to which employees can upload messages for the next plant in the ramp-up cascade. The model is passed on from plant to plant like a baton. The team in Beijing was delighted about the on-screen greetings from their colleagues in Aguascalientes.

New A-Class L Sedan rolls off the assembly line in Beijing

The ramp-up of the long wheelbase version of the new A-Class sets a new milestone at BBAC. It is the first Sedan in the compact car segment ever to roll off the line in Beijing. Together with the GLA, the new A-Class is the second model in the compact-class family produced in China.

“BBAC has undergone extensive development and expansion in recent years, thanks to the great effort of our team. As an integral part of our global network, BBAC is now one of the most advanced production bases which incorporates both intelligent and green manufacturing up to #mercedesbenz global standards”, says Arno Van der Merwe, President and CEO of BBAC.

“As an excellent example of Sino-German cooperation, BBAC has enjoyed a period of high-quality development. In just 13 years, we have made BBAC into the world’s largest production facility for #mercedesbenz passenger cars, both in terms of land size and production volume. I believe that with the close cooperation between BAIC Group and Daimler, in addition to the combined efforts of its entire staff, BBAC is certain to rise to even greater heights and will be able to write a new chapter for growth in the upcoming era”, says Xu Heyi, Chairman of BAIC Group and its subsidiary BAIC Motor.

In 2017, the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology recognized BBAC as a “Green Plant” for its achievements in emission control during manufacturing processes and its results in waste and water resource management. In addition, Beijing Benz received the “ROI Industry 4.0 Award China” in the “Smart Factory” category earlier this year.

The new A-Class - benchmark in the compact class

The new A-Class celebrated its world premiere on February 2, 2018, and was presented to a wide audience for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show in March. It has been available for order already since March, and had its market launch in Europe in beginning of May.

The new A-Class is the first #mercedesbenz model to feature the completely new MBUX multimedia system - #mercedesbenz User Experience, which also ushers in a new era in Mercedes me connectivity. A unique feature of this system is its ability to learn thanks to artificial intelligence. MBUX can be customized if desired and adapts to the user. As a further option, it features intelligent voice control which is activated by the key phrase “Hey Mercedes”.

Despite its sporty look, the new A-Class has considerably more utility value, making it as youthful as ever but grown-up like never before. More shoulder, elbow and headroom plus easier access to the rear are clear benefits, as is the larger and more family and recreation-friendly luggage compartment. All-round visibility has also been considerably improved. This enhances both safety and the sense of spaciousness. The new A-Class has the very latest driving assistance systems with cooperative driver support, giving it the highest level of active safety in this segment with functions adopted from the S-Class.

The new A-Class is not just filled with many innovations. It is also being produced in a really innovative way using modern technologies, which make the digital factory reality.