Mercedes-Benz breaks ground on new plant near Moscow
SOLNECHNOGORSK DISTRICT. June 20 (Interfax) - Russian Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov and Moscow Region Governor Andrei Vorobyev took part in the groundbreaking ceremony on a new Mercedes-Benz plant in the Yesipovo Industrial Park in Solnechnogorsk district.
"The Mercedes-Benz project is a special and serious challenge to everyone connected with it. Since its inception, Yesipovo has become a special zone because many companies wanted to be located next to the automotive industry's standard bearer," Vorobyev said at the ceremony.
The Moscow region government has reserved additional territory in the region for expanding and developing the company and its partners, he said.
Once in operation, the plant will employ about 1,000 people.
"Today is the start to construction of a high-tech plant for producing premium class vehicles in the light segment. This is confirmation that Mercedes is well and truly entering Russia," Manturov said.
The new plant, Moscovia, will handle all stages of production, from body manufacturing and painting, to assembly of finished components. It is scheduled to enter operation in 2019, when local production of E-Class sedans will begin, after which production of GLE, GLC and GLC SUV models will begin.
Daimler is investing over 250 million euro in the new production facility.
Moscovia will be integrated into the global network uniting all plants manufacturing Mercedes-Benz Cars.