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Mercedes Benz opens new Zárate Industrial Centre plant
The launch of a new Mercedes Benz facility at the Zárate Industrial Centre strengthens the German brand’s footprint in Argentina. This push also takes in the Argentine Army’s ongoing plan to modernise its 4×4 UNIMOG tactical truck fleet, via tenders covering more than 400 units of the latest model.
Because of this defence link, the inauguration ceremony for the new plant-backed by an investment of USD 110 million-was attended by Lieutenant General Óscar Zarich, Chief of the Army General Staff. From the Government side, those present included the Chief of Cabinet, Manuel Adorni, the Minister of the Interior, Diego Santilli, and the Secretary General of the Presidency, Karina Milei.
Zárate site as a regional Mercedes Benz trucks hub
As the Armed Forces await the arrival of the first batch of four UNIMOG lorries acquired for service-expected to travel from Germany and arrive mid-month-the event in Zárate underscored a deepening German–Argentine business partnership. That relationship spans more than 75 years, dating back to 1951, when Mercedes Benz opened its first plant outside its country of origin.
Defence is only one part of the wider plan. As Achim Puchert, global CEO of Mercedes Benz trucks (a Daimler Trucks subsidiary), explained, the brand secured 35% of the regional market share for trucks and buses in Latin America last year. For that reason, the Zárate plant “is a hub that serves Argentina and other countries in the region”.
With that focus, the site was filled with Accelo and Atego truck cabs, alongside OH and OF bus chassis. The hope is that, if agreements are reached for hundreds of future UNIMOG vehicles, a portion of the assembly process could be carried out at the plant-similar to what was done up to 1991 at the Virrey del Pino factory with earlier models.
At the new Zárate site-on land purchased by Daimler Truck in 2022-there is also a Reman parts industrialisation facility and a logistics centre responsible for components and spare parts.
Mercedes Benz renews the Argentine Army’s UNIMOG fleet
The Army’s previously announced purchase of 48 Mercedes Benz UNIMOG U4000 trucks is, without question, one of the most significant milestones in the effort to refresh this service branch’s vehicle fleet.
UNIMOG U4000: capabilities and roles for the Argentine Army
It is worth recalling that the UNIMOG U4000 is an all-terrain tactical truck featuring 4×4 all-wheel drive, a 218 hp engine, and an eight-speed manual gearbox with a low-range reducer. It can ford water up to 1.20 metres deep, and its approximate payload capacity comes in at about 4.5 tonnes. With these attributes, the vehicle can be tasked with a wide range of roles, from transporting personnel and cargo to carrying specialised system installations.
Tender process, legacy UNIMOG 416 and the new 400-truck tender
The purchase order placed with the Daimler Trucks subsidiary followed a tender and a Technical Operational Evaluation (ETO) process. During that assessment, models from other manufacturers were also reviewed, including the Arquus VLRA, the Renault Trucks D 4×4, and the Tatra Force T-815.
Beyond its performance, the German truck also benefited from its track record. The Army’s refurbished UNIMOG 416 fleet has supported the Armed Forces for decades-taking part in the Malvinas War, UN peacekeeping missions, and assistance during various national emergencies-thanks to the maintenance work carried out by Arsenal Battalion 601, based in Boulogne Sur-Mer.
Compared with their predecessors, the new models stand out for the inclusion of numerous electronic components and an overall uplift in performance. This shift has led the service to issue a further tender for 400 additional tactical trucks-an initiative that will clearly deepen the relationship between Mercedes Benz, the national army and, by extension, Argentina.
- By Franco Roth for Zona Militar.
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