Valmet Automotive to manufacture A-Class Mercedes cars
Valmet Automotive is to commence the manufacture of Mercedes Benz A-Class cars at its plant in the western coastal town of Uusikaupunki. Government ministers have expressed satisfaction at the deal between Daimler and Valmet Automotive.
The company is starting work on the project immediately and a final deal is expected by the autumn.
The Uusikaupunki plant is to turn out over 100,000 of the compact vehicles between 2013 and 2016.
Valmet Automotive CEO Ilpo Korhonen is delighted that the company will be manufacturing cars for Mercedes-Benz, which he described as the world’s “most respected car brand.”
Minister of Economic Affairs Jyri Häkämies and Minister of Labour Lauri Ihalainen have expressed their satisfaction at the initial agreement between Daimler and Valmet Automotive.
In a joint press statement, they expressed their appreciation for the extra jobs the agreement will create.
Häkämies suggested to Yle that some of those made redundant by Nokia in Salo might be retrained to work at the plant.
The deal means work at Valmet Automotive for around 300 to 400 employees previously under notice of redundancy.
Mercedes Benz's A-Class cars are of a progressive two-box design with a sleek and sporty exterior, quite unlike the traditional look of earlier models.
The factory has previously produced cars for Porsche, Opel and Saab.
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