Mercedes-Benz first Thai engine plant

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Mercedes-Benz first Thai engine plant 
Bangkok Post: 16 Nov 2010
Mercedes-Benz building its first engine plant here

Mercedes-Benz has approved the building of an engine plant in Thailand, the first manufacturing facility the German luxury carmaker has had in the kingdom in its 106-year presence.

‘‘We started setting up the engine production line two weeks ago,’’ says Prof Paufler.

Although many luxury car models are built in Thailand, Mercedes-Benz has hired Thonburi Automotive Assembly Co for their assembly.

The approval came after Mercedes-Benz shut its engine plant in Malaysia and allowed its operations there to import engines from Germany.

"We started setting up the engine production line two weeks ago," said Prof Alexander Paufler, president of Mercedes-Benz Thailand.

The engine plant is located on the same site in Samut Prakan as the assembly plant.

Engines produced will be four-cylinder versions for key Mercedes-Benz models produced in Thailand. Most components will be imported from Germany, with the rest from Asean.

Prof Paufler declined to reveal the investment figure for the new plant or when it would start operations.

He said Mercedes-Benz has extended the variety of vehicles available to Thai customers with the alternative fuel of gasohol 95 E20 to demonstrate its leadership in sustainable mobility.

"Mercedes-Benz is committed to ongoing technological improvements in vehicle and drive unit efficiency towards zero emissions," he said.

The full range of alternative fuels are now available in seven models of its C250 and E250 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY ranges.

The C200 and E200 CGI models already operate with gasohol 95 E20.

The use of gasohol 95 E20 has resulted in a reduction of vehicle retail prices of up to 400,000 baht, or an average of 5%, as the cars are now categorised as having alternative energy powertrains.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/marketing/206579/mercedes-benz-building-its-first-engine-plant-here