Mercedes 2013 Annual Report Download - page 13

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A | To Our Shareholders | Important Events in 2013
The decision is made to build a new car plant in Brazil.
Daimler expands Mercedes-Benz Cars’ global produc-
tion network to include a new location in Brazil. A new
assembly plant in Iracemápolis (near São Paulo) will
manufacture the next generation of the C-Class and
the GLA for the local market beginning in 2016.
A major order for Daimler Buses in Brazil. Following a
call for bids, Daimler Buses receives a contract from the
city of Brasilia to supply 2,100 Mercedes-Benz bus
chassis for the modernization of the local public trans-
portation companies’ fleets.
Five years of car2go. car2go has three reasons to
celebrate in October. The mobility concept marks
its fifth anniversary, has more than 500,000 customers,
and records one million rentals per month. car2go
is now active at 23 locations in seven countries in Europe
and North America.
The new S-Class is voted best luxury sedan. Together
with a panel of automotive experts, the readers
of “BILD am SONNTAG” and “AUTO BILD” vote the
Mercedes-Benz S-Class the best new car in the
upper-range and luxury segments, awarding it the
coveted “Golden Steering Wheel.”
Mercedes-Benz opens a new engine plant in Beijing.
The new plant is Daimler’s first production facility for
car engines outside Germany. The plant combines
cutting-edge technologies with lean and sustainable
production processes. The production line has
a flexible design. It will initially have a production
ca pacity of 250,000 units per year.
Daimler acquires a 12% interest in BAIC Motor. Daimler
becomes the first foreign automaker to acquire an
interest in a Chinese automotive company. This step is
a clear expression of the partners’ good cooperation
and great mutual trust. It underscores the partners’
long-term commitment to jointly taking advantage of
the Chinese car market’s opportunities and potential.
Daimler and Aston Martin sign agreements on techniscal
partnership. Mercedes-AMG is to supply Aston Martin
with engines for its future sports cars. In line with
the development of the partnership, Daimler we will
receive an interest in Aston Martin of up to 5%.
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