Mercedes-Benz South Africa (MBSA) has temporarily halted production at its East London manufacturing plant as part of a scheduled annual non-production period.
The temporary shutdown, which began on June 24, will run until July 30, 2025, according to an official company statement.
MBSA clarified that the pause is a routine operational adjustment and not a result of financial distress, trade policy changes, or any external economic pressures.
The company says the suspension is aligned with its global demand planning strategy and is used to conduct employee training, plant maintenance, and production recalibration.
“This is part of our normal annual production calendar. It provides us the opportunity to upskill our workforce, conduct technical upgrades, and align with global inventory and demand cycles,” said a Mercedes-Benz spokesperson.
The East London facility is a major production hub for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan, producing vehicles for both local consumption and international export.
The plant employs approximately 2,500 workers, and the company has assured that employees will either continue receiving salaries or engage in scheduled upskilling programs during the break.
Recent Developments
In mid-2024, MBSA entered a Section 189 consultation process to restructure shift operations from three to two shifts, potentially affecting around 700 jobs.
Despite these adjustments, the automaker has reaffirmed its commitment to local operations with a R3 billion investment to expand and modernize the East London facility.
“Our recent investment confirms our long-term commitment to the Eastern Cape and South Africa as a whole,” the company emphasized.
While there have been concerns about global automotive tariffs and supply chain disruptions, MBSA noted that this temporary suspension is unrelated to any geopolitical or trade developments, including the recent U.S. tariff changes.
Looking Ahead
Production is expected to resume on July 31, 2025, with the company poised to ramp up its manufacturing operations for the latter half of the year.
The East London plant remains a cornerstone of Mercedes-Benz’s global supply chain, and the strategic pause is aimed at maintaining efficiency, quality, and readiness for future production demands.
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