A day at DaimlerChrysler (13-01-04)

 

8.30 am

Our SA group met at teh “Clock” Bus Station on a very wet and miserably rainy Tuesday, 13th January 2004. However, the spirit of our lively bunch was not to be in the least bit dampered, because on this day, we were headed toward the factory of the “Godfather” of luxury and motorsport automobiles in Stuttgart – The DaimlerChrysler Factory Plant.

9.30 am

On arrival we were greeted and welcomed by a factory tour guide, and then proceeded to a video viewing room to watch a short pre-tour video about the factory and the histiory of DCH and Mercedes Benz. A short bus ride took us to the actual factory where all the production of these beautiful cars begin. We were guided through the factory floors where we witnessed the whole production process in action. By and large, we were overwhelmed at the sheer size of the equipment and machinery used in the production of the cars. Moreover, we were enthrilled an awed to see how maticulate detail and precision was paid to each and every step of the production process. We were also enlightened by facts relating to some of the exobitant investments that aid the whole process, for example the € 54 million that was invested on the dyes that are needed for the colour scheming of the individual cars. We also learned that 2100 cars are produced daily at the Stuttgart factory with each unit going through a four-day process to be finally completed.
After the exhilerating factory tour, we were introduced to Mrs. Brigitte Pfeiffer, who is also part of SAFRI, an initiative that helps to market South Africa as a whole but more particularly to economic empowerment. After her introduction, our spirited and lively group belted into chord with some beautiful tradtional South African songs which were preceeded by our 3-language National Anthem. A beautiful buffet lunch followed which ensured that we would have as much energy as possible for what was to come in the second phase of this breathtaking day ...

Mercedes Benz Museum – guided tour

After a brief welcome and introduction by our well informed tour guide, we commenced the tour by being shown the history of Mercedes Benz automobiles in a chronological order, from the first 2-wheel, Bunsen-Burner-powered vehicle to one of the latest in the Mercedes Benz range, the SL 600 Coupé and the CL 600. A fascinating tour indeed gave us an indepth look at the championship racing Mercedes Benz automobiles from the post-war era right through to the modern F1 Mclaren/Mercedes Benz on show on the museum floor. Our day and tour however could not have been completely fulfilled until we were offered to sit inside the what could only be descirbed as the “sexiest black jet on wheels”, this was non other than the SL 600 Sports Coupé with “drop-top” fitted with Royal Oak and black leather interior with sleek and sexy chrome trimmings and beautiful finish. This technological masterpiece was an absolute delight and dream-come-true to sit in and imagine the sheer speeds and manoevers it can perform with graceful ease.
On a more personal not though, this day was undoubtedly my biggest highlight of the trip thus far. I will, however, still be very open in mind to the other tours which we all will still have to experience as the days hastily diminish ‘till we board that dreaded bus from Tübingen to Frankfurt. Diminish though they might, I know, that I will have taken a most memorable and unforgettable experience from the programme, that will remain unparallel to any other for countless years to come.

Report by Mawande Mzozoyane (Durban Institute of Technology)