Since the production started back in 2004, more than one million vehicles of the current A-Class model generation (W 169/BR 169) have come out the assembly line at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Rastatt. The final car of this series, an A 180 CDI in polar silver, has recently left the factory. The vehicle will arrive at a customer in France. "We are very proud of the success story of the A-Class we will continue to write with the next series. Preparations for the start of the new A-Class are already in full swing.", said Peter Wesp, head of the Mercedes-Benz plant in Rastatt.The new A-ClassIn March this year the new A-class celebrated the world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show. Up to 18 inches lower than the previous model, the new generation displays a sporty, confident character. As the world's first automobile manufacturer, Mercedes-Benz has completely integrated digital and phone communication and functionality in the telematics concept of the W 176 generation. The new petrol and diesel engines are now more fuel efficient and meet any power requirements. They can be combined with the new six-speed manual gearbox or with the optional automatic transmission with double clutch transmission 7G-DCT. The new A-Class is the first car in its segment to feature a standard radar-based collision warning system with ADAPTIVE BRAKE ASSIST, which decreases the chances of a collision. The first units will be delivered to clients beginning with September 2012.About the Mercedes-Benz plant in RastattThe Rastatt plant was officially inaugurated in 1992, with the E-Class being the first model to be assembled there until 1996. From 1997 onwards, the facility was established as a production site for the new A-Class. Prior to 2004, when the second generation came into force, around 1.1 million compact Mercedes-Benz premium models were sold to clients all over the world. Moreover, the current A-Class series appealed to more than one million customers and, in addition, beginning with 2005, the B-Class was also introduced in the production portfolio of the Rastatt factory. This niche vehicle, marketed as a compact sports tourer, became instantly popular, with total sales exceeding 700,000 units. Therefore, the Rastatt plant is unanimously recognized as a competence center for the construction of compact cars from Mercedes-Benz.Starting September 2011, the new B-Class (W 246) was introduced in the range. Currently, preparations are being made at Rastatt to welcome the new A-Class, which is celebrating the world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2012. The new generation of Mercedes-Benz premium compact cars further includes three more sporty, emotional models, including a coupe and an SUV. The five new models will be built in a comprehensive production network comprising the Rastatt plant and the new facility in Kecskemét, Hungary. Three of the five models will be assembled at Rastatt.Credits: Daimler AGCopyright © 2012, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.
The Mercedes-Benz plant in Rastatt celebrates a new milestone: the 3,000,000th vehicle, B 200 BlueEFFICIENCY of the new generation in Jupiter red paint finish, rolled off the production line this week. This special model will reach a customer from Wuppertal. Peter Wesp, head of the Mercedes-Benz Rastatt plant, added on this occasion: "This production milestone is a milestone in our success story. As a center of excellence for compact vehicles, we are an elementary part of the Mercedes-Benz production network."
The Rastatt plant was officially inaugurated in 1992, with the E-Class being the first model to be assembled there until 1996. From 1997 onwards, the facility was established as a production site for the new A-Class. Prior to 2004, when the second generation came into force, around 1.1 million compact Mercedes-Benz premium models were sold to clients all over the world. Moreover, the current A-Class series appealed to more than one million customers and, in addition, beginning with 2005, the B-Class was also introduced in the production portfolio of the Rastatt factory. This niche vehicle, marketed as a compact sports tourer, became instantly popular, with total sales exceeding 700,000 units. Therefore, the Rastatt plant is unanimously recognized as a competence center for the construction of compact cars from Mercedes-Benz.
The new generation of compact class models
Starting September 2011, the new B-Class (W 246) was introduced in the range. Currently, preparations are being made at Rastatt to welcome the new A-Class, which is celebrating the world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2012. The new generation of Mercedes-Benz premium compact cars further includes three more sporty, emotional models, including a coupe and an SUV. The five new models will be built in a comprehensive production network comprising the Rastatt plant and the new facility in Kecskemét, Hungary. Three of the five models will be assembled at Rastatt.
The Mercedes-Benz plant in Rastatt employs over 6,100 people. In 2011, a total of 177,572 vehicles rolled off the assembly line.
Credits: Daimler AG
Copyright © 2012, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.
Today, the Mercedes-Benz Rastatt plant celebrates the production of the 1,000,000th unit of the second generation A-Class (W 169). The milestone vehicle, an A 180 CDI model in metallic black paint job, will arrive at a customer in Landshut, Germany. Peter Wesp, manager of the Rastatt facility, is confident that the successful story of the current A-Class series will be continued upon the arrival of the all new W 176 generation in spring next year. At the moment, extensive work is delivered at Rastatt to prepare the assembly line for the start of production of the upcoming A-Class.
Mercedes-Benz entered the MPV segment back in 1997, with the release of the first generation A-Class. After seven years of service, it was replaced by a new model in 2004, which brought the German constructor the prize for the best premium compact car one year later. Various ingenious systems were developed specially for the A-Class through time, which helped Mercedes-Benz acquire worldwide recognition as trendsetter and innovation leader in the compact class. Moreover, the A-Class was the first automobile in its segment to receive a valid international environmental certificate. The year 2005 also marked the premiere of the all new B-Class sports tourer, which combined the proven practicality of its little brother with decent dynamic capabilities.
The new compact lineup from Mercedes-Benz will comprise, along with the recently revealed B-Class (W 246), the new A-Class hatchback and three new sports-oriented niche models including a 4-door coupe (the CLC) and a SUV (the GLC). Assembly will take place at Rastatt, where the W 246 series is already being produced, and at the new location in Kecskemét, Hungary.
Since 1992, when it was founded, the Mercedes-Benz Rastatt facility has been the prime site and competence center for the production of compact-sized models under the Three Pointed Star. Last year, a number of 238.351 finished examples rolled off the factory.
Credits: Daimler AG
Copyright © 2011, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.
