iAfrica reports that DaimlerChrysler [sic] has sent its first shipment of South Africa-made Mercedes C-Class sedans to the U.S. Some 380 left-hand drive Mercs left the Republic's East London manufacturing plant on Thursday and hopped a boat for Baltimore, Jacksonville and Long Beach. The automaker will repeat the process every two weeks for the foreseeable future, devoting 70 percent of the plant's capacity to servicing the U.S. market. Will the Merc's prestige boost South Africa's image as a major manufacturing center for the German carmaker and others? Not surprisingly, the local pols are saying amen to that. "The mere fact that we are exporting internationally means that we are now on the international map," said Buffalo City municipal spokesperson Darby Gounden "However, the manufacturing of the C-class gives us in the region an opportunity to improve confidence and our image in world markets." As for U.S. consumer acceptance of South African-built C-Class sedans, if they buy 'Bama Benzes… In fact, African American and other politically-minded buyers might see it as a genuine plus.