Daimler's Mercedes-Benz Cars plant at Rastatt, Germany, has marked two milestones: production of its five millionth compact vehicle since A-Class production began back in 1997 and roll-off of its first new A-Class sedan, taking the automaker into yet another new market segment.
Rastatt is usually a lead plant [aka 'mother plant'] for Mercedes-Benz Cars and is now producing four compact models (A- and B-Class, A-Class sedan and GLA).
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In this case though, A-Class sedan production started first, in the third quarter of 2018, at the COMPAS (Cooperation Manufacturing Plant Aguascalientes) joint venture production plant in Mexico. The long wheelbase version, specially for China, also went into production at Beijing Benz in the third quarter. Rastatt is thus, and unusually, the third plant to come on stream with this new model line.
"The production of the five millionth compact vehicle highlights the Rastatt plant's importance as the lead plant for compacts, in addition to which it is ideally prepared for an upcoming EQ compact electric vehicle," said site manager Thomas Geier.
The latest Mercedes compact car line is being produced at five locations.
The compact cars line comprises seven models: A-Class, B-Class, CLA, CLA Shooting Brake, GLA, A-Class sedan and A-Class sedan LWB.
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By GlobalDataThe A-Class sedan runs on the same Rastatt lines as the hatchback and GLA.
The new sedan brings the body style back to Rastatt after over 20 years. The 210 series E-Class was produced there until 1996 before the first A-Class.
A EQ electric model will also be produced at the plant.
The compact car production network comprises plants in Kecskemet (Hungary), Beijing (China), Uusikaupunki (Finland), Aguascalientes (Mexico) and Hambach (France).
