Daimler has chosen DHL Global Forwarding for the distribution of its prestige Mercedes-AMG SLS Gullwing sportscar, which began final assembly at Sindelfingen, Germany at the end of January this year.
Once collected from the assembly plant the cars are forwarded by both sea and air to 40 destinations around the world in specially-designed transport containers based on a patented concept geared toward the movement of high-end vehicles.
Called the Customized Car Safety Box, the container features a hot-dip galvanised steel platform, a suspendable aluminium hood, a special access ramp to accommodate low ground clearance, interior thermal insulation, additional doors and an integrated, manually-operated rope winch.
The system ensures that the vehicles can be loaded safely and efficiently as ocean and airfreight shipments.
While DHL is not typically involved in finished vehicle logistics, it does specialise in the transport of high-value cars, according to Volker Oesau, CEO DHL Global Forwarding Central Europe." That is why we are very pleased that Daimler entrusted us with the distribution of their brand new sports car," he said.
Those vehicles not forwarded to their final destinations directly can be stored temporarily in a secure area of the DHL Automotive Competence Center (ACC) in Frankfurt, which is responsible for directing and tracking the distribution of each Mercedes-Benz Gullwing in coordination with the regional DHL competence centres. DHL Global Forwarding has nearly ACCs in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and North America.
In other news, Daimler has just celebrated the 20th anniversary of its Global Logistics Centre for aftermarket parts in Germersheim, southwest Germany. The 1.8m m2 centre serves 1,400 customers worldwide with parts and accessories for Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicles and passenger cars.
Today, the central depot is also responsible for the supply of spare parts for other brands, including Maybach, smart, Mitsubishi FUSO, Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge.
Andreas Moch, head of the Global Logistics Centre said: “Pooling the global replacement parts supply for Mercedes-Benz passenger cars and commercial vehicles in one location was the right step, taken at the right time. Today, we are the largest central depot for car parts in the automotive sector, and we are well prepared to meet any challenges the future may have in store for us."
