This is the highest growth posted by a top company in Romania’s economy, and the surge in the Star Assembly revenue brings to mind the surge of Nokia in Cluj before 2010.
Star Assembly’s net profit increased almost five-fold, as well, to EUR54 million, while the number of employees went up from almost 1,200 in 2016 to more than 1,800 last year.
The EUR300 million investment the Daimler group made in Sebes and inaugurated in 2016, was the highest made in the Romanian automotive industry in the past few years. The transmission made in the plant in Sebes, Alba County, are among the most advanced in the world. Daimler is one of the few automakers that still makes them in-house.
Mercedes-Benz cemented its leading position among premium carmakers last year, posting the highest growth in sales in the world, as well as the highest sales volume, which went up by 10% to almost 2.3 million cars, beating Audi (1.9 million) and BMW (nearly 2.1 million). The trend will continue as Mercedes-Benz sales continue to increase, especially now that it has overtaken Audi for the first time in China.
The 9G-Tronic transmission can be found on all the C, E, and S series cars, as well as on the Mercedes-Benz SUVs, and these are the vehicles that saw the highest sales growth. Almost every Mercedes-Benz model, except for the A Class, comes with it, too. Moreover, the 9G-Tronic also works with hybrid propulsion systems, so the production in Sebes will not be affected by the auto industry going electric in the next decade at least.
Star Assembly’s results prove the added value a carmaker can have for the local economy.
Daimler made a powerful impact on the economy of the Alba County, previously known for its wood industry mostly. Alba became a top ten exporter in 2017, beating Constanta, Prahova and Ilfov. Exports of companies in Alba stood at EUR2.45 billion last year, 85% more than in 2016 and more than double the 2015 level. The EUR2.45 billion exports put Alba on the seventh place in the county ranking after Bucharest, Timis, Arges, Arad, Brasov and Sibiu.
(English version by Loredana Fratila-Cristescu)