Mercedes-Benz Zárate Plant and UNIMOG Renewal for the Argentine Army

Mercedes-Benz’s Zárate plant strengthens its Argentine presence

Mercedes-Benz has opened a new factory at the Zárate Industrial Centre, reinforcing the German marque’s footprint in Argentina. The move forms part of a wider strategy that also encompasses renewing the Argentine Army’s 4×4 UNIMOG tactical truck fleet through tenders covering more than 400 latest-generation vehicles.

The military relationship was reflected in the opening ceremony for the facility, which represents an investment of US$110 million. Lieutenant General Óscar Zarich, Chief of the Army General Staff, attended alongside Chief of Cabinet Manuel Adorni, Interior Minister Diego Santilli and Presidential General Secretary Karina Milei.

The first batch of four UNIMOG trucks purchased by the Armed Forces is expected to arrive from Germany in the middle of the month. Meanwhile, the Zárate event demonstrated the growing German-Argentine business partnership, which stretches back more than 75 years to 1951, when Mercedes-Benz opened its first factory outside its home country.

Defence is only one aspect of the initiative. Achim Puchert, the global CEO of Mercedes-Benz Trucks, itself a Daimler Truck subsidiary, said the brand secured a 35% share of the Latin American market for these vehicles and buses last year. The Zárate factory, he explained, “is a hub that serves Argentina and other countries in the region”.

The site therefore displayed Accelo and Atego truck cabs, together with OH and OF bus chassis. Should agreements be reached for hundreds of future UNIMOGs, part of their assembly could be carried out at the plant, as occurred with earlier models at the Virrey del Pino factory until 1991.

Daimler Truck bought the land for the new Zárate complex in 2022. It also houses the Reman parts reconditioning plant and a logistics centre responsible for components and spare parts.

Argentine Army fleet renewal

Mercedes-Benz renews the Army’s UNIMOG truck fleet

The Army’s purchase of 48 Mercedes-Benz UNIMOG U4000 trucks, announced several months ago, is undoubtedly among the most significant milestones in updating this branch of the Armed Forces’ vehicle fleet.

UNIMOG U4000 capability and tender process

The UNIMOG U4000 is an all-terrain tactical truck equipped with four-wheel drive, a 218 hp engine and an eight-speed manual gearbox with low-range gearing. It can ford water up to 1.20 metres deep and carries a payload of approximately 4.5 tonnes. These qualities enable it to undertake a broad range of duties, from carrying personnel and cargo to supporting the installation of specialist systems.

The Daimler Truck subsidiary received the purchase order following a tender and an Operational Technical Evaluation process. Models assessed during that procedure also included the Arquus VLRA, Renault Trucks D 4×4 and Tatra Force T-815.

Its performance was not the only factor behind the German truck’s selection; its history also played a role. The Army’s upgraded UNIMOG 416 fleet has served the Armed Forces for decades, including in the Falklands War, UN peacekeeping missions and responses to various national emergencies, supported by maintenance from the 601 Arsenal Battalion in Boulogne Sur-Mer.

The latest models differ from their predecessors through the inclusion of numerous electronic components and an overall improvement in capabilities. This has prompted the force to issue a further tender for 400 additional tactical trucks, undoubtedly deepening the relationship between Mercedes-Benz, the national army and, consequently, Argentina.

• By Franco Roth for Zona Militar.