Valmet Automotive Mercedes-Benz Assembly (2013–present) History
History
In July 2012 Daimler AG and Valmet Automotive announced a contract manufacturing agreement for the Mercedes-Benz A-Class (W176). Series production began in August 2013 at Uusikaupunki — the first time a Mercedes-Benz passenger car had been assembled outside Germany at scale by a third-party contract manufacturer. Production of the next-generation A-Class (W177) followed in August 2018.
A second Mercedes contract was announced in November 2015: the Mercedes-Benz GLC crossover, with production starting in February 2017 and running through 2022. The GLC contract added SUV assembly capability to the plant's skillset.
In 2022 Valmet announced a further contract for the Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupé, with series production beginning in October 2023 at Uusikaupunki. The AMG GT assignment — a high-performance halo model — confirmed Valmet's standing as a trusted partner for Mercedes-Benz's most demanding programmes. As of 2025 the Mercedes relationship remains the plant's primary active contract.
Generations
-
Mercedes-Benz A-Class W176 · A-Class W176
First Mercedes model assembled at Uusikaupunki; production began August 2013 under a Daimler contract announced in mid-2012.
-
Mercedes-Benz A-Class W177 & GLC · A-Class W177 / GLC
Overlapping contracts: GLC crossover (Feb 2017–2022) and next-gen A-Class W177 (from Aug 2018); peak of the Mercedes relationship by volume.
-
Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupé · AMG GT 4-Door
High-performance halo programme; series production started October 2023, current as of 2025.
Related models