Daimler begins CLA Shooting Brake production in Hungary
German carmaker Daimler launched production of the CLA Shooting Brake model at its plant in Kecskemét, Hungary, Markus Schaefer, Daimler's board member in charge of manufacturing and procurement, said today. The model is the second to be manufactured exclusively in Kecskemét.
The CLA Shooting Brake is now available for order with a choice of two diesel engines and four petrol engines. The first models will arrive in showrooms in Europe in March.
The plant launched production of B-Class models in March 2012 and of CLA models in January 2013.
In 2014, the plant turned out a combined 150,000 B-Class and CLA models, and the number of rolled out vehicles is expected to rise this year, plant director Thomas Geier said. He added that the number of Hungarian suppliers of the plant has risen from 17 at the outset to 32.
Daimler has invested €1 bln in the plant so far. At the end of last year, it employed approximately 4,000 people.
Geier acknowledged the company's cooperation with the government, adding that the plant has received more than €90 mln in preferential export-supporting credit that will be used for additional investments at the plant. Further negotiations are under way with the government on new "subsidies that conform to European rules", he added.
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