Mercedes-Benz gears up powertrain network for EVs from 2024

By REUTERS | 14 December 2022


BERLIN: Mercedes-Benz laid out today an over 1 billion-euro plan to adapt its global production network for electric powertrain systems - including battery assembly, electric drive units, and axles - from 2024.

Plants in Kamenz and Untertuerkheim in Germany as well as Beijing, which already assemble batteries for electric and hybrid models, will assemble batteries for models on the upcoming MMA and MB.EA platforms, with another battery assembly site in Koelleda pending support from regional government.

Untertuerkheim, Beijing and Sebes in Romania will build electric drive units for cars on the new platforms, with Hamburg and Untertuerkheim to remain the lead plants for assembling electric axles and components.

"There is no site that is not included," production chief Joerg Burzer said on a press call.

100 % elektrisch: Mercedes-Benz Produktionsordnung für E-Antriebe festgelegt100% electric: Mercedes-Benz production setup defined for electric drive systems


Management and employee representatives reached an agreement in June on shifting European car plants towards EVs, making Sindelfingen the home for high-end vehicles on the AMG.EA platform, Bremen and Kecskemet in Hungary for core luxury models and Rastatt and Kecskemet for entry-level vehicles.

The carmaker has set up its car plants to produce both combustion engine and electric cars on single production lines, but assembling batteries and motors on the same line is more complex, Burzer said.

Still, many of the component-making plants will carry on making parts for combustion engine cars for as long as there is demand, as the premium carmaker works towards all-electric sales by 2030 "where market conditions allow".

100 % elektrisch: Mercedes-Benz Produktionsordnung für E-Antriebe festgelegt 100% electric: Mercedes-Benz production setup defined for electric drive systems

Prinzipdarstellung: e-Antrieb des Mercedes-Benz VISION EQXX Prinzipdarstellung: e-Antrieb des Mercedes-Benz VISION EQXX

Der Mercedes-Benz Standort Berlin-Marienfelde erweitert sein elektrisches Produktportfolio künftig um die Montage von Ultra-High-Performance Axialflusselektromotoren von YASA. The Mercedes-Benz site in Berlin will expand its electric product portfolio to include the assembly of ultra-high-performance YASA axial-flux electric motors

Montage des Integrierten Startergenerators am Mercedes-Benz Standort Hamburg Production of Integrated Starter Generators at Mercedes-Benz Hamburg site

Keywords