In the words of the Secretary of Industry and Productive Development of Argentina, Ignacio de Mendiguren, the commitment of companies that invest in the economic development of the country is very important, when celebrating the investment of USD 50 million made by Mercedes-Benz Trucks and Buses Argentina for the construction of a 6,300-square-meter auto parts and spare parts logistics center at the facilities located in Zárate.
“This kind of investment is what consolidates the path to development that we are promoting from Sergio Massa's economic team. For a development project to prosper, you have to set objectives, find consensus among the workers, the company and politics, establish the rhythms and priorities, and create the necessary tools, that is what we are seeing here”, stated Mendiguren.
The auto parts and spare parts logistics center of Mercedes-Benz Camiones y Buses Argentina will begin operating in the second half of 2024. The company's objective is to promote the installation of new local suppliers, the development of new jobs and economic growth from the area. On the company side, the CEO of Mercedes-Benz Camiones y Buses de Argentina, Raúl Barcesat, highlighted that, after 18 months of operation as an independent company, "we are extremely proud because announcing this new investment is confirming our present and future in the country".
He stressed that these investments bet on the development of the Argentine industry and work in the long term. On the other hand, at the same event, the firm announced that it will begin to export bus chassis from the Zárate plant, which means that 20% of the frames produced for the OH 1621 urban bus model by 2023 will be destined for export.
Regarding exports, Barcesat said that for the firm it is essential to develop an export profile and continue opening markets. “With a lot of work and meetings we opened the Mexican market and the first test was in January, these vehicles are already circulating on the streets of Mexico and thanks to a good start. Now the second unit order has come, ”he anticipated after noting that he will focus on the American and African markets. In turn, he highlighted the permanent dialogue with the National Government and expressed that they hope that the new investment law regulations for new products "make tariffs more flexible outside of Mercosur." "Luckily, this dialogue has always existed and we aim for it to continue to exist, it is impossible to develop a company, a business, if there is no dialogue with the State and with the workers' representatives," the manager completed. Nationwide, Mercedes-Benz currently directly employs more than 500 people and indirectly more than 2,000, distributed in its 24 dealerships and more than 45 points of sale and after-sales.
With regard to production, Barcesat stated that 70% of the products marketed are entirely produced in Argentina, production covers different models of Accelo and Atego trucks and OH and OF bus chassis that develop an important supply chain. worth. Regarding the union sector, the union undersecretary of the Automobile Transport Mechanics and Allied Union (Smata), Adrián Valle, highlighted that only 18 countries in the world produce automobiles and among them is Argentina. "Thanks to the skilled labor in the country we can produce and we can export, what we see here today is what we want not only for Mercedes-Benz, but for the entire industry," Valle stressed.