DAIMLERCHRYSLER has celebrated the 40th anniversary of its Woerth factory, which has produced more than 2.7 million vehicles since it first began operating.

During the event held to mark this anniversary Professor Jurgen Schrempp, chairman of the board of DaimlerChrysler, said: 'The company's decision to establish the Woerth site 40 years ago has proved to be a wise one.'

The plant started producing vehicles in October 1963. More than 40 years since the ground was first broken, the plant now covers an area of more than 2.4 million square metres.

The production figures, too, have grown from the initial 800 units per year to an annual production of more than 75,000 units.