Daimler Truck has signed a letter of intent on the establishment of a local truck assembly plant together with the government of the Republic of Senegal and private sector company Global Truck Systems (GTS).

Daimler Truck will support its two partners in setting up the plant in Senegal, and will also supply vehicle component sets in completely knocked down (CKD) form to the operation.

Assembly will be carried out under the leadership of the Senegalese government, in cooperation with GTS.

The Senegalese government and GTS have established a joint venture (JV) to implement the project.

Daimler Truck is supporting the JV as supplier and technology partner.

Vehicles from the plant are scheduled to start flowing to customers next year.

Various Mercedes-Benz truck models will be assembled at the Senegalese operation.

These vehicles will be used, among other things, for the logistical requirements of the Senegalese Ministry of Defence; the modernisation of the fire brigade and police fleets; and for use in the waste collection, construction, logistics and transport sectors.

“With this project, our vehicles will enter the Senegalese market in close coordination with the German federal government,” says Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks CEO Franziska Cusumano.

“The delivery of CKD kits for on-site assembly, the transfer of know-how and comprehensive technical advice are our contributions to a successful, partnership-based cooperation."

“By signing this letter of intent, we are sending out a strong signal of our long-term commitment to West Africa,” adds Daimler Truck Middle East and Africa CEO Michael Dietz.

Germany has been supporting economic and social development in Senegal within the framework of a bilateral reform partnership since 2019.

In addition to financial participation, the Senegalese government provides industrial land, as well as tax and customs relief for CKD imports, while it also supports the training of local specialists.

This project forms part of the country’s overarching industrial policy.