Daimler Truck Southern Africa proudly marked a significant milestone with the celebration and handover of its 150 000th locally assembled truck, a Mercedes‑Benz Actros 2645LS/33 at its East London assembly plant. The milestone vehicle was delivered to valued customer, TT Group Holding, underscoring the strong partnerships and customer trust that continue to drive the company’s success.
Commenting on this exciting customer handover, Olaf Petersen, Vice President for Sales and Marketing says: “The trucking industry is built on strong, enduring relationships. We don’t simply hand over a truck, we partner with our customers and support them throughout their journey. It is especially meaningful to deliver our 150 000th locally built truck to TT Group Holding, a valued customer who shares our commitment to performance and excellence. This milestone is not only a reflection of our product strength, but of the trust and collaboration that drive our business and the business of our customers forward.”
Over six decades of local excellence and expertise.
The first truck, a L-Type Mercedes-Benz Truck rolled off the DTSA Assembly Plant in East London in 1962, marking the start of local production of Mercedes-Benz Trucks and local truck production in South Africa. Over 60 years later the 150 000th truck rolls off the same line, underscoring decades of excellence, innovation and commitment to driving the local production in the Southern Africa region forward. The DTSA Assembly Plant continues to play a crucial role in supporting the company’s promise of delivering reliable, efficient and fit-for-purpose transport solutions to its customers. Beyond production, the plant has been instrumental in driving localisation, job creation and skills development, reinforcing DTSA’s long-term commitment to South Africa and the broader region. These milestones reflect not only growth in volume, but also advancements in manufacturing standards, safety and sustainability.
Vice President of Manufacturing, Gladstone Mtyoko comments: “The production of our 150 000th truck at the DTSA assembly plant represents far more than a number, it is a testament to the dedication, craftsmanship and passion of our people. It reflects the strength of our production capabilities and our relentless focus on quality, efficiency and continuous innovation. This milestone demonstrates the important role we play in powering mobility and keeping Africa moving. I am incredibly proud of this achievement and of the outstanding team behind it, who continue to set the standard for excellence in manufacturing. Sibhiyoza kunye – sikunye siqhubekekela phambili ekugqweseni.”
Other key milestones
In 2022, the East London Assembly Plant proudly celebrated 60 years of production, marking six decades of local manufacturing excellence. Over the years, the facility has achieved several significant milestones that emphasising its contribution to both the South African and global Daimler Truck network. In 2010, Mercedes‑Benz Buses assembled OH bus chassis in support of the FIFA World Cup hosted in South Africa. This was followed in 2015 by the assembly of the 125 000th truck in the East London assembly plant. The plant continued to build on this legacy with the production of the 750 000th CKD unit and the 800 000th unit from the Wörth plant in 2019 and 2024 respectively. In 2023, Mercedes‑Benz Trucks also celebrated 25 years of the Actros in South Africa and its assembly in East London. These achievements culminate in the celebration of the 150 000th locally built truck in 2026, coinciding with global milestones including 130 years since the first Mercedes‑Benz truck, 30 years of the Actros in Europe and 80 years of the iconic Mercedes‑Benz Unimog.
As DTSA celebrates this landmark, the company remains focused on the future, continuing to invest in its people, products and processes to meet the evolving needs of the transport industry.