PETALING JAYA: Malaysia is among one of several sites that will complement the global electric hub network Daimler is building for the production of electric vehicles and batteries.
Other countries in the region that have been identified as pivotal to the success of the network are Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam.
By 2022, Daimler will electrify the entire portfolio of Mercedes-Benz, offering customers at least one electrified alternative in all Mercedes-model series.
The company is planning to offer more than 50 electrified vehicle variants. To that, Mercedes-Benz will be continuously supporting the development of plug-in hybrids and the introduction of 48-volt-systems. More than 10 models of the over 50 electrified vehicles will be fully electric cars – in all segments, from smart to large SUVs.
Over the next few years, Mercedes-Benz Cars will be investing 10 billion euros in the expansion of its electrical fleet and an additional one billion euros in a global battery production network within the worldwide production network. That way a global battery network is created, which currently comprises five battery factories on three continents.
While the start of production of the fortwo Coupé and Cabriolet at the smart plant in Hambach in 2017 already represent the start of the fourth generation of electric vehicles of the brand, the first electric vehicle of the new product and technology brand EQ will roll off the production line at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Bremen.
In 2018, Daimler will complete the second battery factory in Kamenz and intensify preparations for the EQC at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Bremen. In 2019, the EQC will be the first series vehicle of the product and technology brand EQ to roll off the production line at Bremen and at BBAC in Beijing.
Further locations for EQ models are the Mercedes-Benz plants in Rastatt, Sindelfingen and Tuscaloosa (USA), where the model range is extended to include electric vehicles of the compact, upper and luxury class as well as the SUV segment.
“Our electric vehicles will be built in six plants on three continents. We address every market segment: from the smart fortwo seater, to the large SUV," said Markus Schäfer, Member of the Divisional Board of Mercedes-Benz Cars, Production and Supply Chain.
"The battery is the key component of e-mobility. As batteries are the heart of our electric vehicles we put a great emphasis on building them in our own factories... The electric initiative of Mercedes-Benz Cars is right on track. Our global production network is ready for e-mobility. We are electrifying the future”.
