Back in 2013, Daimler announced plans for building a new facility tasked with the manufacturing of passenger cars for the Brazilian market. It would be located in Iracemapolis, in the state of Sao Paulo.
Three years later the factory was finished and was churning out C-Class and GLA crossovers. Unfortunately, this year’s coronavirus pandemic has forced Daimler to make a tough decision regarding this facility.
The German brand will wind down car production to the point of shutting down the entire factory (annual capacity of 20,000 units), which according to Reuters will cost approximately 370 people their jobs.
Daimler has acknowledged that the pandemic has caused a drop in demand for premium models in Brazil, which in turn made keeping the factory open an unsustainable task. However, passenger cars aside, Mercedes will continue to do business in Brazil at its Sao Bernardo do Campo plant, which is even undergoing modernization.
This facility builds trucks such as the Accelo, Atego, Atron, Axor and Actros, as well as their engines, axles and transmission. This is also the location of the Technological Development Center, the largest in South America.
Meanwhile, cabins for these trucks are being manufactured at the Juiz de Fora plant, which joined Mercedes-Benz truck production back in 2012. The facility is said to have one of the most modern processes for painting and welding trucks.
This year, pretty much all carmakers have had to temporarily close down production at factories around the world. However, closing down for good is a completely different thing and it just goes to show how devastating the effects of this pandemic can be, both from a healthcare and a financial standpoint.
Mercedes-Benz Shutting Down Passenger Car Production In Brazil
23/12/2020
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Mercedes-Benz | Mercedes-AMG
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Scottjuiff
Understanding COSC Certification and Its Importance in Horology
COSC Validation and its Strict Criteria
Controle Officiel Suisse des Chronometres, or the Controle Officiel Suisse des Chronometres, is the authorized Switzerland testing agency that certifies the precision and precision of wristwatches. COSC validation is a symbol of superior craftsmanship and reliability in chronometry. Not all watch brands seek COSC validation, such as Hublot, which instead sticks to its own strict standards with movements like the UNICO calibre, attaining similar accuracy.
The Art of Precision Timekeeping
The core system of a mechanical timepiece involves the mainspring, which delivers energy as it loosens. This mechanism, however, can be vulnerable to environmental factors that may impact its accuracy. COSC-validated movements undergo rigorous testing—over fifteen days in various conditions (five positions, 3 temperatures)—to ensure their resilience and dependability. The tests measure:
Average daily rate accuracy between -4 and +6 seconds.
Mean variation, highest variation rates, and effects of temperature variations.
Why COSC Accreditation Matters
For watch fans and collectors, a COSC-certified timepiece isn’t just a item of technology but a proof to lasting excellence and accuracy. It symbolizes a watch that:
Provides outstanding dependability and accuracy.
Offers guarantee of superiority across the entire design of the timepiece.
Is likely to retain its value more effectively, making it a smart choice.
Popular Timepiece Manufacturers
Several well-known brands prioritize COSC accreditation for their timepieces, including Rolex, Omega, Breitling, and Longines, among others. Longines, for instance, presents collections like the Record and Spirit, which feature COSC-validated mechanisms equipped with innovative substances like silicone equilibrium suspensions to boost durability and efficiency.
Historical Background and the Development of Chronometers
The notion of the timepiece dates back to the requirement for exact timekeeping for navigational at sea, highlighted by John Harrison’s work in the 18th cent. Since the formal establishment of COSC in 1973, the accreditation has become a yardstick for assessing the accuracy of high-end watches, continuing a legacy of superiority in watchmaking.
Conclusion
Owning a COSC-validated watch is more than an aesthetic choice; it’s a dedication to quality and precision. For those valuing precision above all, the COSC certification offers peacefulness of thoughts, ensuring that each certified timepiece will operate reliably under various circumstances. Whether for individual satisfaction or as an investment decision, COSC-certified timepieces distinguish themselves in the world of horology, carrying on a legacy of careful timekeeping.