Mercedes-Benz to convert main factory to EV components

The electric mobility era has encouraged Mercedes-Benz to convert its Unterturkheim plant near Stuttgart in Germany to a high-tech location for electric components.

The plant will transition from producing just conventional engines, transmissions and axles to the future powertrain components for electric vehicles (EVs).

Included are new battery production and assembly of electric modules for front and rear axles.

“We plan to produce a rising number of powertrains for conventional and hybrid vehicles,” Mercedes-Benz Cars production and supply chain divisional board member Markus Schäfer says.

“At the same time, we are creating competitive conditions in our plants with regard to electric mobility. With this further development, Untertürkheim will continue to be the lead plant in the global powertrain production network.”

Company agreement reached between the plant’s management and works council includes measures to enhance flexibility and efficiency, including optimisation of the plant’s operating time as well as to variable shift models and flexible workforce deployment.

“In the future, products from our plant will be in every electric vehicle from Mercedes-Benz,” Unterturkheim plant site manager and powertrain production head Frank Deiß says.

The passenger car plant in Sindelfingen will be supplied with batteries for electric vehicles of the EQ product and technology brand from Untertürkheim. This means that Daimler is now planning the fourth battery factory in its global battery production network, after the two plants in Kamenz and one in Beijing.

Untertürkheim will set up a “project house eATS” to develop additional know-how for the next generation of an electric drive system.

Several billion euros will be invested into the future development of the Untertürkheim site in the next few years.

The Neckar Valley site has a 110-year tradition and Untertürkheim comprises seven divisions over more than two million square metres with 19,000 employees.

More than 250 new jobs will be created in e-mobility.

By 2025, fully electric vehicles are to account for between 15% and 25% of Mercedes-Benz total unit sales. At present, Untertürkheim is operating at full capacity and the company anticipates ongoing growth in conventional engines, transmissions, axles and components.