Latest news with #GlobalTruckSystems
Business Insider
7 days ago
- Automotive
- Business Insider
Mercedes-Benz set to roll out truck assembly plant in West Africa
The project, formalised through a letter of intent is a tripartite collaboration between the Senegalese government, German automotive giant Mercedes-Benz, and Global Truck Systems (GTS). The announcement came after a high-level meeting between Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko and a Mercedes Trucks delegation led by the group's CEO, Franziska Cusumano. According to a statement from the Senegalese government, the new facility will initially focus on assembling military vehicles for the Senegalese armed forces, before gradually expanding to include civilian trucks and other commercial models. ' An initial assembly line will be operational by the end of 2025. Several hundred jobs will be created during the initial phase, with a target of several thousand in the long term, ' said Jan Weber, Commercial Director of Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks, in an interview with national broadcaster RTS. Under the agreement, Mercedes-Benz will supply Completely Knocked Down (CKD) kits to enable local assembly of various truck models, boosting industrial capacity and reducing dependence on imports. The initiative aligns with Senegal's broader industrialisation strategy aimed at attracting foreign investment, fostering skilled employment, and developing local supply chains in strategic economic sectors. Mercedes Benz deepens Africa presence Mercedes-Benz has been steadily expanding its footprint across Africa, positioning itself as a key player in the continent's rapidly growing automotive and logistics sectors. With demand for commercial vehicles surging and driven by infrastructure projects, urbanisation, and regional trade integration, Africa has become a strategic growth frontier for the German automaker. In North Africa, Mercedes-Benz maintains a solid presence through assembly plants and distribution partnerships in Egypt and Algeria. South Africa, however, serves as the company's primary manufacturing hub on the continent, home to one of its largest assembly facilities outside Germany. Daimler Truck Southern Africa (DTSA), headquartered in Pretoria, oversees this major assembly operation, which employs approximately 300 people. Mercedes-Benz's latest venture into Senegal indicates a strategic push to anchor its operations closer to e merging West African markets. Leveraging Dakar's advantageous position as a logistics hub, the planned truck assembly plant is expected to stimulate ancillary industries, foster technology transfer, and accelerate workforce skills development. " As part of the supply of CKD kits for various Mercedes-Benz trucks, Daimler Truck ensures a reliable supply chain. Comprehensive quality assurance and technology transfer control measures are also implemented." "The objective is to provide high-quality conditions for locally assembled vehicles, including long-term service support. With the commitment of Daimler Truck, the two local partners can create new jobs on site and thus contribute to the country's value creation and economic development." Daimler noted in a statement. As infrastructure development and regional logistics continue to expand, demand for heavy-duty vehicles is projected to rise.
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Daimler, partners with Senegal and GTS to establish local truck assembly plant
Daimler Truck has partnered with the government of Senegal and Global Truck Systems (GTS) to establish a truck assembly plant in the country. The collaboration, formalised through a letter of intent, will see Daimler Truck provide vehicle component sets for local assembly, with operations slated to begin in 2026. Daimler will be the exclusive supplier of completely knocked down (CKD) kits for the assembly of the trucks. To implement the project, a joint venture was formed by the government and GTS, and they will operate the truck's assembly on-site. Mercedes-Benz truck model series is planned for assembly, which will cater for the use in the private sector as well as for the Ministry of Defense, the fire brigades, and the police. Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks CEO Franziska Cusumano said: "With this project, our vehicles will enter the Senegalese market in close coordination with the German Federal Government. "The delivery of CKD kits for on-site assembly, the transfer of know-how and comprehensive technical advice are our contributions to a successful, partnership-based cooperation." The Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany is backing the assembly plant project. The Senegalese government's contribution to the project includes providing industrial land, tax and customs relief for CKD imports, and supporting local specialist training. This initiative is in line with the country's industrial policy and is a significant step toward establishing a locally anchored automotive production in West Africa. Apart from vehicle sales, GTS is tasked with the project's economic, technical, and industrial implementation. This also includes local recruitment, personnel training, production facility planning, and the assembly of vehicles from CKD kits, along with the addition of specific equipment such as container frames and cranes. Daimler Truck Middle East/Africa CEO Michael Dietz said: "By signing this letter of intent, we are sending out a strong signal of our long-term commitment to West Africa. We are pleased to officially start industrial cooperation together with the government of Senegal and Global Truck System. 'With the relocation of the assembly plant, the creation of qualified jobs and the transfer of technological competences, we will be able to make a joint contribution to economic value creation in the region." Last month, Daimler Truck collaborated with DHL Group and hylane to incorporate fully electric trucks into DHL's fleet. "Daimler, partners with Senegal and GTS to establish local truck assembly plant" was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Daimler Truck Signs Letter of Intent for Vehicle Assembly in Senegal
LEINFELDEN-ECHTERDINGEN, Germany & DAKAR, Senegal, July 03, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Daimler Truck has signed a Letter of Intent with the Government of Senegal and Global Truck Systems (GTS) to establish a local truck assembly plant. As part of the agreement, Daimler Truck will serve as the exclusive supplier of dismantled truck kits (CKD – Completely Knocked Down) and act as the project's technology partner. The Senegalese government and GTS have formed a joint venture to lead the assembly operations. Production is expected to begin as early as 2026, with vehicles reaching customers the following year. The plant will assemble various Mercedes-Benz truck model series, tailored for government use—such as the Ministry of Defense, fire brigades, and police—as well as private sector needs including waste collection, construction, logistics, and transportation. Franziska Cusumano, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks, highlighted the strategic importance of the initiative: "The CKD delivery, transfer of know-how, and technical support reflect our partnership-based approach with the German Federal Government and the Republic of Senegal." Michael Dietz, CEO of Daimler Truck Middle East/Africa, added: "This project signals our long-term commitment to West Africa. Through local assembly, job creation, and technology transfer, we aim to contribute to regional economic development." Strong German-Senegalese Partnership Senegal has been a valued partner of German development cooperation for decades. Since 2019, both nations have worked under a bilateral reform partnership, which evolved into a climate and development partnership in 2023 through the Just Energy Transition Partnership. The CKD project is a direct outcome of this collaboration, promoting local industrial development and sustainability. Senegal's Commitment to Industrial Growth The Senegalese government is supporting the project by providing industrial land, offering customs and tax incentives, and facilitating local workforce training. This initiative aligns with Senegal's broader strategy to expand domestic production and meet growing mobility needs. GTS: Operational Lead GTS is responsible for setting up and operating the assembly plant. This includes recruiting and training personnel, planning production facilities, assembling vehicles from CKD kits, and equipping them with specialized bodies such as cranes or container frames. GTS will also oversee sales operations. Daimler Truck's Contribution Daimler Truck will ensure a reliable supply chain, enforce quality standards, and manage technology transfer. The company will also provide long-term service support, ensuring the high quality of locally assembled vehicles. This project is expected to create qualified local jobs and boost industrial capabilities in the region. Through this strategic partnership, Daimler Truck, GTS, and the Senegalese government are laying the groundwork for sustainable automotive manufacturing in West Africa, setting a benchmark for industrial cooperation, economic development, and technological advancement. Further information on Daimler Truck is available at: and Source: AETOSWire View source version on Contacts Lukas Hettmannsperger, +49 (0) 1703871112, Ulrike Burkhart, +49 (0) 1608613757, Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
