Daimler Truck Signs Letter of Intent for Vehicle Assembly in Senegal

Leinfelden-Echterdingen / Dakar (Senegal)- Daimler Truck AG., has signed a letter of intent with the Government of the Republic of Senegal and Global Truck Systems (GTS) to establish a local truck assembly plant in Senegal. As part of the collaboration, Daimler Truck will supply Completely Knocked Down (CKD) kits of Mercedes-Benz trucks, while the Senegalese government and GTS through a new joint venture will lead the assembly process locally. The first vehicles are expected to reach customers next year.

The assembly plant will cater to various public and commercial sectors. The locally assembled trucks will be used by the Ministry of Defense, police and fire services, and will also support waste collection, construction, logistics, and transport needs. This move is aimed at modernizing Senegal’s fleet while promoting local manufacturing.

This project builds on a long-standing development partnership between Germany and Senegal. Since 2019, Germany has supported Senegal under a bilateral reform partnership, which was expanded in 2023 into a climate and development partnership. The CKD assembly project showcases the shared goal of driving economic growth through industrial development and local value creation. The German Federal Foreign Office is backing the project.

The Senegalese government is contributing land, tax and customs relief for imported components, and support for training programs. This is part of Senegal’s broader industrialization agenda to strengthen its manufacturing capabilities, create jobs, and support inclusive economic development through skill-building and infrastructure investment.

GTS will oversee all aspects of the plant’s setup and operations, including recruitment, worker training, production planning, and vehicle assembly. The company will also handle the integration of specialized equipment such as cranes, recovery units, and container bodies, as well as sales and distribution of the finished vehicles.

Daimler Truck, meanwhile, will ensure a steady supply of CKD kits and support the venture with quality control systems and technical expertise. The company’s involvement is intended to help maintain global quality standards in local production and to establish a reliable long-term service framework.

Together, Daimler Truck, GTS, and the Senegalese government aim to boost the region’s automotive industry, create new employment opportunities, and support Senegal’s mobility needs through a strong foundation of local production and technological collaboration.

Ms. Franziska Cusumano, CEO Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks, said, "With this project, our vehicles will enter the Senegalese market in close coordination with the German Federal Government. 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."

Mr. Michael Dietz, CEO Daimler Truck Middle East/Africa, said, "By signing this letter of intent, we are sending out a strong signal of our long-term commitment to West Africa. We are pleased to officially start industrial cooperation together with the government of Senegal and Global Truck System. With the relocation of the assembly plant, the creation of qualified jobs and the transfer of technological competences, we will be able to make a joint contribution to economic value creation in the region."

You must be logged in to respond.