Mercedes-Benz to produce CLS Shooting Brake in Sindelfingen

Mercedes-Benz has announced that the plant in Sindelfingen will become home of the production of the CLS Shooting Brake that is going into serial production and will be available in 2012.

Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board Daimler AG and H ead of Mercedes-Benz Cars: “In 2004, Mercedes-Benz established a new vehicle segment with the four-door Coupé CLS and created a design icon. 170,000 customers around the globe show how enthusiastic this car has been received by the market. The decision to build the CLS Shooting Brake underscores the leading role of Mercedes-Benz in regards of innovative passenger car concepts and design – and that is exactly what the customers expect from us.”

The CLS Shooting Brake will be joining the C-Class Sedan, the E-Class Sedan and Estate, the S-Class and the coupés CLS and CL as well as the Maybach models and Mercedes-Benz Guard vehicles that already built at Sindelfingen. This plant, which is the largest production location of Mercedes-Benz globally, recently started to produce the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG and a small series of the B-Class powered by a fuel cell. In 2014 the Mercedes-Benz SL is also expected to be manufactured in Sindelfingen.

The decision of producing the CLS Shooting Brake at this location is also a reflection of the plant’s flexibility. The new model will be built on the same production line as the CLS and the E-Class Sedan.

Dr. Wolfgang Bernhard, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG for Production and Procurement Mercedes-Benz Cars & Mercedes-Benz Vans: “This new model with its high emotional appeal is another highlight for the Sindelfingen plant. The location decision is an evidence for the significance of the plant as competence centre for the luxury class. The CLS Shooting Brake will contribute to a sustainable capacity utilization in this core location of our production network.”

In 2012 the CLS Shooting Brake will be making its debut on the markets. The new model will be based on the show car that featured at this year’s Auto China in April. Now, this insight by Mercedes designers into the possible future development of the Coupé concept will become reality.

Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing, Mercedes-Benz Cars: “The CLS still makes waves with its fascinating design and wows customers for our brand. With the new generation of the CLS we expand our pioneering role in this segment. We aim to extend this success story with the CLS Shooting Brake and complement our product portfolio with another appealing model. This car is based on the great tradition of a stylish, cultivated sportiness which has always characterised the great Mercedes Coupés, and it takes this unique legacy an exciting step further. At the same time it points the way towards the future design idiom of Mercedes-Benz."