This ambitious project marks the second phase of MBSA’s commitment to achieving net carbon-neutral manufacturing, aligning with Mercedes-Benz’s broader goal of covering over 70 percent of its energy demand in production with renewable energies by 2030. The foundation for this commitment was laid out in the company’s sustainable business strategy, Ambition2039, which was already set in motion at the East London manufacturing plant in 2022.

Andreas Brand, CEO of Mercedes-Benz South Africa and Executive Director for Manufacturing, emphasized the significance of the PV installation, stating, “The installation of the Photovoltaic solar panels at our manufacturing plant is a key pillar of our energy strategy and will contribute towards the East London plant’s daily maximum demand requirement of 12MW in times of peak demand.”

The R100 million investment accelerates Mercedes-Benz’s carbon-neutral manufacturing ambitions and underlines the company’s commitment to corporate citizenship. Brand urged stakeholders to act swiftly in addressing South Africa’s electricity challenges, emphasizing that every action counts in safeguarding the environment for future generations.

This substantial investment not only reinforces MBSA’s dedication to environmental sustainability but also aligns with the government’s call to reduce industrial electricity consumption on a strained electrical grid. Additionally, the PV installation offers a cost-effective energy solution, leveraging a renewable energy source.

The project unfolds as the second phase following the completion of the initial installation of 3,692 PV solar panels in 2022, providing 2MWp. The upcoming phase will cover five additional rooftops of the East London Plant, expanding the manufacturing plant’s footprint by an additional 12.6MWp. In total, the Photovoltaic system will comprise approximately 26,539 solar panels, generating 14.6MWpeak – in line with the East London Plant’s maximum demand during production days. The completed system is anticipated to contribute approximately 20 percent of the East London Plant’s annual MWh consumption.

Set to commence in the first quarter of 2024, the project is a collaborative effort with a local supplier, emphasizing MBSA’s commitment to fostering partnerships that contribute to sustainable development. As Mercedes-Benz takes bold strides towards a greener future, this investment sets a powerful example for the automotive industry’s role in environmental stewardship and responsible corporate citizenship.

Join us as we take a closer look at the brand new Mercedes-AMG EQE 43 on South African soil!

Mercedes-Benz has a rich history in South Africa, spanning over six decades, and has always prided itself on being a socially responsible corporate entity. As the pioneers of the automobile industry and creators of some of the world’s most coveted vehicles, Mercedes-Benz understands that its influence goes beyond the confines of the showroom. It recognizes the need for collaboration with like-minded individuals, brands, and communities who are dedicated to driving the world towards sustainability.

The Black Coffee Foundation and Mercedes-Benz South Africa share a common vision – to address social issues and make a meaningful difference in the lives of those who need it the most. Black Coffee is a global icon, known for his inspirational music and motivation, and Mercedes-Benz sees partnering with his foundation as a way to uplift communities, tackle social challenges, and restore dignity to the vulnerable among us. This partnership focuses on enabling self-reliance, promoting education, and fostering social integration.

For Mercedes-Benz South Africa, this partnership represents a deep commitment not only to its corporate mission but also to the well-being of the communities it serves. Together, Mercedes-Benz and the Black Coffee Foundation will work in tandem, leveraging their strengths and resources to create a lasting impact.

As part of this collaboration, Mercedes-Benz South Africa has generously provided the Black Coffee Foundation with a Mercedes-Benz GLE and a Mercedes-Benz Vito. These vehicles will play a crucial role in helping the foundation achieve its goals and make a meaningful difference in the lives of those in need.

The Black Coffee Foundation, established in 2010, has been dedicated to providing aid, upliftment, and opportunities to South Africa’s underprivileged and differently abled populations. They do so by implementing sustainable, long-term initiatives that focus on education, independence, and social integration.

Mark Raine, Co-CEO of Mercedes-Benz South Africa, also shared his enthusiasm for this partnership: “At Mercedes-Benz South Africa, we take immense pride in our collaboration with the Black Coffee Foundation. Together, we aim to not only bolster our reputation and brand image but also partner with other stakeholders to raise funds for socially impactful causes. We eagerly anticipate the transformative influence we will collectively generate with the Black Coffee Foundation.”

While you can read our First Impressions of the 2023 GLC 300 d here, let’s delve into the exciting features that were previously costed extras on the old GLC generation but are now included at no additional cost on the new GLC.

Avant-garde Styling Package

The Avant-garde Styling Package adds an extra touch of elegance and sophistication to the GLC’s exterior. It features distinctive front and rear bumpers, side skirts, and a diamond radiator grille with chrome pins. This package not only enhances the vehicle’s visual appeal but also underscores its premium status on the road.

Seat Comfort Package

Enhanced comfort takes center stage with the Seat Comfort Package. Designed to pamper occupants, this package offers additional features to elevate the seating experience. With adjustable lumbar support, electrically adjustable front seats with memory function, and improved cushioning, the GLC ensures a relaxed and ergonomic driving position, perfect for long journeys.

Heated Front Seats

With the inclusion of heated front seats, Mercedes-Benz ensures that chilly mornings and frosty winter days won’t hinder your comfort. The GLC’s heated seats provide a cozy and inviting atmosphere, keeping you warm and snug throughout your drive.

Active Park Assist with Parktronic

Navigating tight parking spaces becomes a breeze with the GLC’s Active Park Assist. This advanced system utilizes sensors to identify suitable parking spots and automatically steers the vehicle into position, leaving the driver in control of acceleration and braking. Coupled with the Parktronic feature, which provides audible and visual alerts when nearing obstacles, parking becomes stress-free and precise.

Active Lane Assist

Safety and convenience merge seamlessly with Active Lane Assist. This feature utilizes sensors and cameras to monitor lane markings and alerts the driver if they unintentionally deviate from their lane. By providing gentle corrective steering inputs, the GLC assists in maintaining a centered position, enhancing overall safety during highway driving.

Privacy Glass for Rear Passengers

The GLC understands the importance of privacy for rear-seat occupants. The inclusion of privacy glass creates a shield against prying eyes and harsh sunlight. Not only does it add a touch of exclusivity, but it also enhances the overall aesthetic appeal of the vehicle.

Ambient Lighting

Elevating the interior ambiance, the GLC comes equipped with ambient lighting. This customizable feature allows you to select from a range of colors, creating a soothing and immersive atmosphere inside the cabin. Ambient lighting enhances the sense of luxury and adds a touch of personalization to your driving experience.

Parking Package with Reversing Camera

Maneuvering in tight spaces becomes effortless with the Parking Package, which includes a reversing camera. The camera provides a clear and dynamic view of the area behind the vehicle, making parking and reversing safer and more convenient. This feature is particularly useful in urban environments where visibility can be limited.

Mirror Package

The Mirror Package brings enhanced functionality and style to the GLC. It includes auto-dimming mirrors, which automatically adjust to reduce glare from headlights of following vehicles. Additionally, electrically folding exterior mirrors provide added convenience, allowing the driver to fold them in tight spaces or when parked to protect against accidental damage.

Wireless Charging for the Front Passenger and Driver

Embracing modern technology, the GLC comes equipped with wireless charging for the front passengers and driver. This feature enables convenient and cable-free charging of compatible smartphones, eliminating the hassle of dealing with tangled cords. With wireless charging, you can keep your devices powered up and ready to go throughout your journey.

The new campus boasts approximately 600 employees across the campus. It is equipped with modern facilities and technology to support the company’s growth and development. The campus features a state-of-the-art training center, a customer experience center, and a product showcase area. Elsewhere, several sustainable features were incorporated in the design of these buildings.

According to Michael Dietz, President and CEO of Daimler Truck Southern Africa, the new campus represents the company’s commitment to the region and its customers. “As a team we are truly humbled by how far we have come since becoming an independent company on 1 December 2021. This day marks a great beginning for us and I look forward to further creating a great place to work for our employees, while fully catering to our customers and continuously serving all who keep Africa moving.” he said.

The company has a long history in Mzansi, dating back to 1962 when it first began manufacturing Mercedes-Benz trucks in East London. Since then, the company has expanded its operations and product offerings, including FUSO.

The new campus will house the company’s headquarters and various departments, including sales, marketing, finance, and administration. It is expected to create new job opportunities in the region, contributing to economic growth and development.

The opening of the new campus is a significant milestone for Daimler Truck Southern Africa, demonstrating the company’s commitment to the region and its customers. With modern facilities and technology, the company is well-positioned to continue its growth and expansion in Southern Africa.

Before we get there, if you loved my take on the new C-Class, you’ll love this review.

Let’s start with the exterior. The C43’s aerodynamic lines and sleek curves give it a dynamic and sporty appearance. The front grille is distinctive, and the aggressive air intakes provide not only a sporty look but also function to cool the engine. The rear of the car is equally impressive with a sporty bumper and twin tailpipes, completing the look of this striking machine.

Under the hood, the C43 is powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder in-line engine that delivers 300 kW of power and 500 Nm of torque. The engine is mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission that shifts smoothly and quickly. The C43 can sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.5 seconds, which is impressive for a car in its class. This is a second faster than the outgoing model by the way.

The top speed is electronically limited at 250 km/h. By adding the optional AMG Driver’s Package, it can be raised to 265 km/h.

But the C43 is not just about raw power. It’s also packed with cutting-edge technology, including a 10.25-inch infotainment system with voice recognition, a Burmester surround sound system, and a digital driver display. The car also features advanced driver-assist technologies, such as adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring.

On the open road, the C43 handles beautifully. The suspension is perfectly tuned, providing a comfortable ride while still feeling sporty and responsive. The steering is precise, and the car feels well balanced in corners. The car’s 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system provides excellent grip, making it easy to control even on wet or slippery surfaces. There is one drawback though, the car seems to be track ready and track focussed at heart. When in comfort, it struggles to find and keep the appropriate gear, especially when driving in suburbia. But once you change it to Sport and Sport+, the C 43 is at its happiest. I’m not entirely sure whether that’s a drawback or not, but still, its just weird.

On the track, the C43 is a joy to drive. The car’s sporty nature really shines through, and the engine delivers ample power, while the chassis provides excellent handling. The brakes are strong and responsive, and the car feels well planted even at high speeds.

However, there are some negative aspects of the C43. The infotainment system can be a bit fiddly to use, and some of the interior materials feel a bit cheap. Additionally, the car is quite expensive, with a starting price of around R1,608,810  in South Africa. Comparing it with the likes of the BMW M340i, I’m super keen to see how many of these babies Mercedes manage to move.

In conclusion, the 2023 Mercedes-AMG C43 is a fantastic car. It’s a powerful and dynamic machine that’s packed with advanced technology, and it offers an exhilarating driving experience both on the road and on the track. While there are some downsides to the car, overall, it’s a great choice for anyone looking for a high-performance luxury vehicle.

I can confidently say that this car is a true masterpiece. Here are ten things that make me fall in love with it every time I get behind the wheel:

Powerful Engine: The Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 comes with a powerful 4.0-liter V8 engine that delivers 450 kW of power and 850 Nm of torque. It can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.1 seconds.

The Comfort: The GLS 63’s cabin is a comfortable and luxurious space, with seats that are both heated and ventilated. The car also has a panoramic sunroof that floods the cabin with natural light and makes the interior feel even more spacious.

The Sound: The GLS 63’s engine produces a deep, throaty roar that is music to any car lover’s ears. The car also comes with an optional AMG Performance exhaust system that enhances the engine’s sound even further.

The Handling: Despite its size, the GLS 63 handles like a much smaller car. The car’s suspension system is tuned for sporty driving, and the all-wheel-drive system provides excellent traction and stability in all driving conditions.

The Technology: The GLS 63 is packed with advanced technology, including a large MBUX infotainment screen, a head-up display, and a 360-degree camera system. The car also comes with a suite of advanced safety features, such as adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning.

The Style: The GLS 63 has a sleek, modern design that turns heads wherever it goes. The car’s aggressive front grille, AMG-specific bodywork, and 21-inch wheels give it a sporty and imposing look.

The Space: The GLS 63 is a large SUV, and as such, it has plenty of space for both passengers and cargo. The car’s third-row seats can comfortably accommodate adults, and with all the seats folded down, the car has impressive cargo space.

The Luxury: The GLS 63 is a luxury vehicle through and through, with high-end materials and finishes throughout the cabin. The car’s interior is lined with soft leather, and the dashboard and doors are accented with real wood trim.

The Versatility: The GLS 63 is a versatile vehicle that can handle a variety of driving situations with ease. Whether you’re cruising down the highway, navigating city streets, or tackling off-road trails, the GLS 63 can do it all.

The Exclusivity: The GLS 63 is a rare and exclusive vehicle, with only a limited number available each year. If you were to ever own one of these, you’ll feel privileged to own such a unique and special car, and I love the sense of exclusivity that comes with it.

Overall, the Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 is a luxurious and powerful SUV that offers a comfortable ride, cutting-edge technology, and advanced safety features. Its combination of luxury, performance, and versatility make it an excellent choice for those who want the best of both worlds.

In this article, we’ll explore what it’s like to use Mzansi’s first and only 200 KW EV charger found at the Mall of Africa for the first time. In case you missed it, Audi Southern Africa installed the charger.

First of all, it’s important to note that not all EVs are compatible with a 200 kW charger. This type of charger is typically only compatible with high-end models, such as Tesla’s Model S and Model X. Seeing that we don’t have those models locally, the charger is only compatible with the likes of the Audi e-tron GT, BMW ix, BMW i4 M50, Porsche Taycan and this Mercedes-Benz EQS we used for this test. So, if you own a different type of EV, you may need to find a different charging solution with a much lower output.

Assuming you do have a compatible EV, finding and using this 200 kW charger at MOA for the first time can be a bit intimidating. These chargers are significantly more powerful than most charging stations, so it’s important to be cautious and follow the instructions carefully.

The first thing you’ll need to do is to find the charging station. We drove quite a bit around Mall of Africa trying to locate this charger. The thing is, on the respective portals either from Gridcars and Rubicon, there are no clear instructions on which entry or parking level the charger can be found which is rather frustrating. After calling the Rubicon help desk, and another call back from them, we found the charger at Level 2D parking, which leads you straight to the Woolworths entrance. The charger is located on the far left upon entry. The charger itself is huge, and you can’t miss it. It is clad in black classic Audi branding. All of this, and the placement is rather distracting and odd in a dark corner. But we bet the placement makes sense from an engineering perspective. Once you’ve found the station, you’ll need to park your car in the designated charging spot and connect the charger to your vehicle, tap your recharge card and you’re good to go.

One of the benefits of a 200 kW charger is that it can provide a full charge in as little as 30 minutes, depending on your EV’s battery capacity. This means you’ll have plenty of time to grab a cup of coffee or stretch your legs while your car charges. Fortunately, I quickly had to dash to the Game where I needed to stock up on loadshedding essentials.

While waiting for your car to charge, you may notice that the charger makes a bit of noise. This is completely normal and is just the sound of the charger’s cooling fans working to keep the system cool. The charger also has a display that shows the charging progress, so you can keep an eye on how much longer your car needs to charge.

After about 34 minutes, my Mercedes-Benz EQS 450+ was charged from 99km to 580 km. Which is impressive and rather satisfying given my experience with EVs in Mzansi. Once your car is fully charged, the charger will automatically stop supplying power to your vehicle. You can then unplug your car and be on your way.

Overall, using a 200 kW electric vehicle charger for the first time can be a bit daunting, but it’s a relatively straightforward process. With the ability to charge your car in just 30 minutes, a 200 kW charger is a game changer for those who want to minimize the amount of time spent charging their EVs.

Its now official. Mercedes-Benz Vans South Africa has confirmed that the the electrified 2024 Mercedes-Benz eSprinter will launch in the country in 2024. Mind you, the eSprinter isn’t the firm’s first electric van, but it will be the first available in the South Africa.

While it’s aimed at commercial fleets rather than retail customers, the eSprinter is still an important vehicle.

The model may look the same as the outgoing Sprinter on the outside, but every mechanical component packed into the carryover chassis (shared with the internal-combustion Sprinter) is new.

The eSprinter launches in South Africa with a 113-kWh pack. The load capacity is 14 cubic metres, the permissible gross vehicle weight is up to 4.25 tonnes.

The electric range, based on a simulation using the WLTP cycle, will be up to 400 kilometres. Charging from 10 to 8% of full capacity takes around 28 minutes for the 56 kWh battery and around 42 minutes for the 113 kWh battery.

Complete model line-up and pricing will be confirmed closer to the launch date.

According to the presser issued earlier today, Mercedes-Benz South Africa will be introducing two variants of the EQE at launch, the EQE 350+ with 215 kW and 565 N. The EQE 350+ has a WLTP driving range of up to 645 km, while the Mercedes-AMG EQE 43 4MATIC is rated up to 535 km.

Unfortunately, as you read this, pricing for either models has not been released as yet. More information will be shared on 18 January 2023 when the local launch takes place.

Later this year, Mercedes-Benz Cars South Africa will also introduce the EQE SUV and EQS SUV, bringing the local battery EV model range to a total of seven.

Our friends at Mercedes-Benz South Africa were kind enough to loan us the C220d variant for our December drive and this is just a preview to what’s to come. Yes, we’re going to be living with it for the next 3 weeks. We have plenty of drives lined-up so it only makes sense that we’re this splendidly frugal vehicle with us.

For those obsessed with numbers, like myself, this model is powered by a 2.0-litre diesel engine good for 440 Nm and 147 kW of power. Top speed is capped at 245 km/h, although there was never a need for us to go that fast in this limousine. Fuel economy during our drive down here to Port Alfred, was its best at just 4.2 litres per 100 km. A staggering feat if you ask me. Which then saw our fuel gauge give us an estimate of over 1400 km on a single fuel tank. Haibo! For real. Yup, the frugality of it all is why we opted for this machine.

Numbers aside, whenever there’s a new C-Class, its worth an extra-long look. Even if it might not be the most engaging sedan out there. Here its all about luxury and it exudes that from the first look.

Now, now, before I share way too much than what I’m supposed to, follow along with us as we journey the greater Garden Route and parts of the Western Cape with this C220d. As of this publishing, we just made it through the 1000 km break-in period. We’ll have proper driving impressions and all the other fun stuff for you soon.