| | A brief history of Mercedes-Benz Passenger cars in South Africa |
1896
The first car to be imported into South Africa, a Benz Velo makes its appearance.
1948
Car Distributors Assembly (Pty) Ltd is founded in East London.
1954
Daimler-Benz realizes the potential of market and opens an office in South Africa.
1958
Car Distributors Assembly (CDA), contracted to assemble Mercedes-Benz product, produce the first locally built Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
1966
CDA becomes a wholly-owned subsidiary of United Car and Diesel Distributors (UCCD).
1967
West-Bank site is acquired - Massive expansion to East London Plant.
1984
Daimler-Benz AG acquires 50,1 % of the share capital in UCCD. The company is renamed and registered, Mercedes-Benz South Africa (Pty) Ltd.
1986
UCDD Ltd. is renamed Mercedes-Benz (Pty) Ltd, East London.
1997
Introduction of new E-Class (V-engines).
1998
Ernst Göhner Foundation bought out: DBAG increases shareholding to 100%.
1998
November 25 - R1300 million investment announcement. Inauguration of DaimlerChrysler Imbizo in East London.
1999
C-Class Export to Australia commences.
1999
April 19 Mercedes-Benz of South Africa (Pty) Limited becomes DaimlerChrysler South Africa (Pty) Limited (DCSA).
2000
The new C-Class RHD Production starts.
A total of 335000 Mercedes-Benz Passenger cars were built at the East London plant since 1958 up to the end of 2000. |
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