Transnet and Mercedes-Benz South Africa (MBSA) in April set an export record at the East London harbour, with more than 10 000 new C-Class vehicles exported from MBSA’s Eastern Cape plant.

“In April we were the highest exporter of new vehicles in South Africa, when we recorded a total of 10 674 exports, which is a huge achievement and a record for MBSA, the East London port and the Eastern Cape as a province,” says MBSA CEO and executive director manufacturing Arno van der Merwe.

“It is pleasing to see this type of successful collaboration between manufacturers, shipping lines and ports in achieving increased volumes with quick turnaround times, as this will contribute to a much needed injection into the economy.”

He adds that April’s exports build on the record number of C-Class units the East London plant produced and exported in 2015, which has transformed the local arm of the German company into a net exporter.

MBSA in 2015 produced 106 700 vehicles. The C-Class made up 102 200 of this number and trucks and buses 4 500 units. This is a massive jump from the 54 400 units assembled in 2014, made up of 48 100 C-Class models and 6 300 trucks and buses.

C-Class exports reached around 93 500 units in 2015, to more than 80 countries, up from the 33 688 units exported in 2014, when the plant was still ramping up production of the new C-Class.

“We are delighted to be part of this success story where the Eastern Cape’s automotive volumes indicate that our region is leading the pack within this fiercely competitive industry,” notes Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) CEO Richard Vallihu.

He says April’s numbers reflect the strong partnership MBSA and Transnet have “developed and nurtured” over the past few years.

“TNPA has seen first-hand the benefits of working closely with our customers and stakeholders, to the benefit of the entire regional economy. Together, MBSA and Transnet are engineering the fastest, most cost effective and mutually beneficial model to bring product to market – wherever those markets are.”