The news also represents the start of the pilot project 'Innovation Factory', in which production technologies are being tested before featuring in 'Factory 56'. This new factory is being built next to the existing production facilities at Sindelfingen.
"With the GLA, the Mercedes-Benz Sindelfingen plant is producing a compact model for the first time proving its high flexibility," observed Michael Bauer, site manager at Sindelfingen. "With the project ‘Innovation Factory’ we are shaping the future of production at Mercedes-Benz Cars. At the same time we are supporting our global production network by quickly providing additional capacities. Our employees contribute a major part with their long-term experience and a high level of motivation."
The GLA has been made at the OEM's Rastatt plant in Germany since 2013 and at the Beijing Benz Automotive Corporation (BBAC) plant in Beijing since 2015. The Rastatt plant has been operating at full capacity, but demand for the company's SUVs is on the rise - sales were up by 14% in 2017, primarily driven by the GLA and GLC models.
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