Factory visit at DaimlerChrysler (11-01-05)

We departed from ISP building at 08H31, heading to the Daimler Chrysler plant in Stuttgart. The temperature was about 30 degrees Celsius and so far no snow. Our bus was equipped with high class technological systems, including a GPS System that was beyond remarkable. You could see exactly where you are on the map as we drove along the streets, including the surrounding area, to an inch precision.

Our arrival time at the Mercedes Benz Kundencenter, Daimler Chrysler Plant in Sindelfingen, was at 09H10. Upon getting off the bus we took a group photo, displaying our beautiful Rainbow flag, and immediately headed off into ‘The Shop’ to check out the souvenirs.

We were later gathered in a room and were introduced to Antje Dahm, our tour guide for the morning. We had a sky-view picture orientation of the plant and watched a video about the history and development of Mercedes Benz and Daimler Chrysler as a company. We then jumped on the bus and toured the plant, from the pressing of the side panels to the final-touches of the making of one of the best cars in the world. Through our tour, we particularly followed the making of the Mercedes Benz C Class Sedan model, and believe me when I say that every part was constructed to perfection. By the way, we were told that you can order a Merc with features of your own desires! But I guess they can also charge you the price of their own choice.

On our arrival back at the ‘Kundencenter’ we were met by Mrs. Brigitte Pfeiffer, the SAFRI Project Manager of Daimler Chrysler, who addressed us - speaking about SAFRI, whose aim it is to promote relations between Germany and southern Africa. She then invited us to the most delicious lunch in Germany yet, a much welcomed break from the Mensa food. To say much about the food will make me hungry again so that topic will be reserved.

After lunch we headed to Daimler Chrysler Museum in Stuttgart, where we saw the first motorcycle ever and the first automobile engineered by Mr. Daimler and Mr. Benz. Then we were taken through the evolution of the car Benz (the first car) to the classic car it is today. Two interesting points, to me, that came out of the tour is how the car Benz acquired the name Mercedes and the meaning of the three star sign. The name Mercedes was given to the car after a father, who bought a fleet of Benz car, insisted that the name of his daughter be in-scripted of the cars. As for the three stars they mean the Benz's engines endeavour on all the elements of nature, i.e. the land, water and air. We were told of the era that the Mercedes Benz dominated the racing circuits, saw the cars built for the Pope, the Japanese emperor and we even had the opportunity to sit in a replica of a McLaren Mercedes racing car.

We got back to Tübingen at 16H30, and I can say this tour was ‘FANTASTISCH’ and "thank you" to everybody who played a role in organizing the trip. I will end this with an idiom of the Mercedes Benz fanatics in South Africa. It goes as follows:

‘Ke toiši- bodikela. Ba bohlale ba bohlabela ba etetše ke naledi kwa pele. Wa timela ka yona o setlatla’

It translates to: ‘It is the torch of the west. The wise-men from the east are lead/ guided by a star. If you get lost while driving it (Benz) you are dumb’.

(Report by Ntlaletseng Samuel Ramohlola, Cape Technikon)