Mercedes-Benz wants to expand its global operations, and Egypt is the main candidate for opening a new car plant.

Discussions have not been concluded yet, but the facility would be built in cooperation with a local business partner, the automaker said a few days ago after Member of the Divisional Board, Markus Schafer, met with the President of Arab Republic of Egypt H.E. Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.

“Egypt is an attractive and competitive location for production and supporting logistics. With the planned local assembly, we are confident to be able to expand our market position”, said Schaffer.

In response, the Egyptian authorities have embraced the auto brand’s initiative and show their support. “We welcome the decision of Mercedes-Benz to resume manufacturing and assembly of cars in Egypt, a step that reflects the improvement of the investment environment and the performance of business in Egypt”, commented President El-Sisi.

If everything goes according to plan and the automaker decides to open a production facility in the country, then they could cooperate with the local authorities in state infrastructure projects as well. Mercedes has offered its expertise in mobility, electro-mobility, electric cars and autonomous driving for the new planned administrative capital and ‘smart cities’ that authorities are planning to build in Egypt.

“Furthermore, with our broad-based product portfolio, our electric initiative as well as our expertise in respect of modern mobility concepts, we are ready to support the Egyptian authorities in related projects”, added Schafer.

Daimler has been present in the local market since 1999 through Mercedes-Benz Egypt S.A.E. The subsidiary secures more than 1,000 direct and indirect jobs, and has its own import and sales organization and a central spare parts warehouse. It also operates through the workshops located in Cairo, Giza, Alexandria and Hurghada.