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.
Go deeper with GlobalData
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.
US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?
Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.
By GlobalData“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.
