Mercedes-Benz, Great Wall Motor Co-Manufacturing Talks
Analysis based on 10 articles · First reported Mar 09, 2026 · Last updated Mar 10, 2026
The potential co-manufacturing deal between Great Wall Motor and Mercedes-Benz Group could stabilize the South Africa===East London, South Africa plant's operations, positively impacting local employment and the South Africa's automotive sector. However, ongoing US tariffs continue to pose a significant challenge to export-oriented manufacturing.
Mercedes-Benz Group is reportedly in discussions with Great Wall Motor to share its assembly factory in South Africa===East London, South Africa, South Africa. This move aims to boost the viability of the plant, which has faced challenges due to US trade tariffs imposed by Donald Trump and falling global demand for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. The plant, operated by Mercedes-Benz Group===Mercedes-Benz South Africa, has seen production cuts and employee retrenchments. Great Wall Motor has presented a proposal to South Africa's South Africa===Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, expressing interest in producing vehicles there. The potential co-manufacturing arrangement could help Mercedes-Benz Group address unused capacity and lower operating costs, while providing Great Wall Motor with local production capacity to support its brands in the South African market. Mercedes-Benz Group is also considering repurposing the factory as a global hub for processing end-of-life batteries.
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