DaimlerChrysler, factory visit (17/01/03)

The anticipation was nearly tangible in the bus on our way to Stuttgart. Very few were sleeping, most of us were wide-eyed looking for the first sign of our destination – the DaimlerChrysler test track. Little did we know of the surprises the day would hold for us.
First stop was the Mercedes-benz Museum, where we were taken on a guided tour from the first automobiles of the world, past racing cars to the modern Mercedes-Benz. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and we learned many interesting things. We discovered the meaning of the company’s trademark threepointed star and also learned where the name “Mercedes” came from. Although photographs are generally not allowed in the museum, we were allowed to take pictures. Our guide even allowed us to sit in some of the cars – something normal visitors would never be able to do. We felt like royality!
Our royal experience continued with lunch. An incredible four-course meal was waiting for us in the guest restaurant of DaimlerChrysler. We sat down to lunch at a beautifully set table and were served with salad, soup, main course and dessert. For the first time on this trip all twenty of us were completely quiet. We drove to Sindelfingen, where the largest Mercedes-Benz manufacturing plant is located. The plant manufactures S, C and E class cars and only specially ordered cars. There are 40,000 employees and 2100 cars are manufactured daily – that’s a brand new Mercedes-Benz every 25 seconds! They took time out to welcome us. Mr Gorgels, Head of Chairman's Office of the "Southern Africa Initiative of German Business" (SAFRI), spoke lovely words about our country (see pictures below!). We all felt proudly South African! We watched a short film about the manufacturing plant. Our tour guide, Christina Kühnle, was wonderful – explaining everything and pointing out interesting things. In the Body Shell Shop we saw massive robots carefully putting together the body shells of S class Mercedes-Benz’. It is incredible to see a car taking shape in the “hands” of robots. In the Final Assembly building we watched skilled workers putting C class Mercedes-Benz’ together. It is an intricate process, with for instance more than 4000 different dashboards to choose from. We even saw a sunroof being installed. The “wedding” of the body shell and the engine of the car is spectacular to watch. We were privileged to be shown something incredible, which few people get to see. Though most of us bought souvenirs to remember the day by, I doubt we will ever forget it. Thank you, DaimlerChrysler, for crowning 21 kings and queens for a day.

(Marzanne van den Berg, University of Pretoria)