Mumbai: The state government of Maharashtra and DaimlerChrysler India Private Limited have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to set-up DaimlerChrysler's new manufacturing facility in the Chakan MIDC area in Pune. The plant will produce the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, E-Class and C-Class for the Indian market. (See: DaimlerChrysler to set up plant near Pune)

V K Jairath, secretary (industries) government of Maharashtra and Dr. Wilfried Aulbur managing director and CEO, DaimlerChrysler India, signed the MoU.

Those who attended the signing ceremony included Maharashtra chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh and industries minister Ashok Chavan along with Dr Thomas Weber, member of board of management of DaimlerChrysler AG, who heads Group research and the Mercedes car group, Dr Bharat Balasubramanian, vice president, group research and advanced engineering electrical / electronics and IT, processes, and Dr Wilfried Aulbur.

DaimlerChrysler is the pioneer of the luxury car segment in India and has already completed 11 successful years in India. The company has well established customer relationship and production processes and has won the Quality Awards for the "Best Mercedes-Benz Manufacturing Plant outside Germany" five times during the last 11 years in India. DaimlerChrysler was also the first auto company to complete ISO 9001: 2000 certification for its entire dealer network in India.

"Pune is, and will continue to remain, 'The Detroit of the East' " said Deshmukh.speaking at the event. He said, "We have a long-standing relation with DaimlerChrysler India and we are happy that Mercedes-Benz cars will continue to be produced from Maharashtra."

According to Dr Wilfried Aulbur, "DaimlerChrysler's relationship with India dates back to 1954 and over the years, our relation with the country has been significant both in terms of scope and depth of offerings. Today, we offer an impressive range of Mercedes-Benz cars for the Indian customer. Indian operations have continued to impress us; they are now the benchmark for our global operations."