Daimler Chrysler acquires 100 acres at Chakan

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

Pune, May 9 (UNI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh today laid the foundation stone of auto-major Daimler Chrysler's (DC) Rs 275 crore new plant for Mercedes Benz vehicles on 100 acres land at Chakan-MIDC.

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister treading cautiously said, while the state government was supporting foreign investments, it was expecting the new partners to employ the locals from whom the land had been acquired.

''It is my request that the locals be made a partner in a minimal way by employing atleast one member from a family, which would be the best way to compensate those who have sacrificed their land for the project'', he said.

He said the state government would provide the infrastructure, power and R&D facilities for the investors. In turn, Mr Deshmukh expressed hope that the locals would be provided education and training facilities under various programmes meant for the local community.

Earlier, addressing a joint press conference, DC Chairman of the Board Dr Joachim Schmidt, Member of the Board Prof Eberhard Haller and DC India Managing Director and CEO Dr Wilfred Aulbur, said that the facility would employ 350 workers, matching the current facility. The capacity of the plant is 5000 vehicles and the Mercedes Benz 'S', 'E' and 'C' class cars would be manufactured at the new plant, Schmidt added.

Answering queries, he said the company has achieved a strong growth of 11 per cent and has maintained record sales for the past five years touching sale of 2,121 vehicles in 2006. ''The first quarter of 2007 has already touched a growth of 17 per cent in the Indian market which can be expected to rise with the GDP growing 9 per cent, the auto market too was growing'', Schmidt informed.

Talking of the facility, Dr Aulbur said the company has touched a growth of 20 per cent in components exports which has been more than revenue generated locally. To a query about future plans, Aulbur said no decision has been taken to manufacture the Altros trucks although there was enough area to do so in the near future. ''We have sold 50 Altros trucks so far in India and we are the best in the line'', he said.

To another query, Aulbur said there was no decision about manufacturing the 'A' Class cars here for the moment, the company was focusing on optimising use of Jatropha and bio-diesel and would consider using CNG. estion.

State Industries Minister Ashok Chavan said DC must consider manufacturing of cars for the middle class.

UNI

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