Mercedes-Benz is marching towards an electric future and the move they are making on converting the company’s plants stands proof of it.
Factories such as Kamenz and Bruhl in Germany, Jawor in Poland, or Sebes in Romania are transforming. Starting in 2024, these production centers will roll off the assembly lines different components from those they are currently working on.
Mercedes is thus getting ready for an electric lineup in markets that can allow such a move. Yet to be achieved, the premium carmaker is targeting a portfolio in which every single model has an all-electric version.
Mercedes-Benz plants are gearing up to match demand
The brand is gearing up for a new setup of the powertrain production network. According to Automotive World, Mercedes is investing a mid-single-digit billion euro amount in European powertrain production locations. The successful launch of the EQ lineup has encouraged the brand’s executives to take the decisive step. The EQ catalog now comprises the EQA, EQB, EQC, EQE Sedan and SUV, plus EQS Sedan and SUV.
For these, factories will be supplying “state-of-the-art batteries and electrified axles,” according to Jorg Burzer, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz, Production and Supply Chain Management.
The battery plants in Kamenz, Bruhl, and Beijing will continue to produce new-gen batteries for the MMA and MB.EA-based vehicles. The production centers in Sebes and Cugir, Romania, will switch from transmissions to electric drive units production starting in 2024. In 2025, they will ramp up production of electric drive units for the EQ models.
The four-cylinder petrol and diesel engine factory in Jawor, Poland, has already turned into a battery factory, supplying plug-in hybrid batteries for the C-, E- and S-Class.
Meanwhile, the Untetrturkheim plant will double production to keep up with the ever-growing demand. Approximately one million electric drive units per year can be produced there.
The oldest manufacturing location for Mercedes-Benz, the Berlin plant will be responsible for building high-performance electric motors for the AMG.EA architecture-based models.
By 2025, the company hopes electric cars will account for half of the units sold worldwide.
