Production Mercedes Prepares Plants for 40 New Models

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Mercedes-Benz will produce more than 40 new models in its plants over the next three years. Some of them will be built in Germany – but an increasing portion of production is moving away.

Mercedes-Benz is preparing its production network for what it claims to be the "most extensive product offensive in its history." Over the next three years, more than 40 vehicle models are set to launch. The offensive is scheduled to start at the Bremen and Kecskemét locations with the new GLC and the future C-Class. Production of the GLC – the first core model based on the MB.EA architecture – is slated to begin in the first quarter of 2026. The C-Class with EQ technology will follow in the second quarter. The electric GLC is being produced on the same line as the EQE and the GLC with internal combustion and hybrid engines.

Later, production of the long versions for the Chinese market is set to begin at the Beijing plant. According to the automaker, the necessary new construction and conversion measures in the assembly plants were carried out through virtual commissioning – without significantly interrupting ongoing operations. Mercedes aims to reduce production costs in the network by ten percent between 2024 and 2027. This will be made possible, among other things, through more efficient production and logistics – "thanks to digitalization, the use of artificial intelligence and digital twins, and the increased use of renewable energy," states Mercedes.

Networking, cloud, humanoid robots

In parallel with the electric GLC in Bremen and the C-Class in Kecskemét, the Sindelfingen plant is preparing to produce new electric Mercedes-AMG models. Bremen and Sindelfingen serve as lead plants for models in the core and top-end segments. Mercedes also plans to increase the "low-cost country share from 15 to 30 percent by 2027." This likely means more production in countries other than Germany. According to Mercedes, the production network is set up to be drive-flexible. "The pace of the transformation is determined by market conditions and the preferences of Mercedes-Benz customers," states the automaker.

With MMA, Mercedes-Benz has taken the first step into an era of software-defined vehicles. With MB.EA, an even more consistent implementation of the intelligent modularization of technologies within the entire Mercedes-Benz portfolio follows. This also requires greater intelligence and flexibility in production.

Jörg Burzer, Head of Production:

Mercedes has invested more than two billion euros in its European assembly plants. Production of the electric CLA has already ramped up in Rastatt. The CLA is the first model based on the “Mercedes Modular Architecture” (MMA). The production of the newly announced models in the core and top-end segment is fully integrated into the MO360 production ecosystem and connected via the "MO360 Data Platform." This includes the cloud-based production technology of the "MB.OS" operating system. Additionally, Mercedes plans to extensively deploy humanoid robots in production, particularly in intralogistics, in collaboration with Apptronik over the coming years.

More renewable energy in production

Since 2022, Mercedes-Benz's own vehicle production sites have been operating in a balance sheet CO₂-neutral manner. By 2030, renewable energies are expected to cover more than 70 percent of the energy needs in production. Specifically, this means more solar and wind energy at their own locations and corresponding power purchase agreements.

The planned projects for an onshore wind park in northern German Papenburg and an offshore wind park in the Baltic Sea are progressing well, according to Mercedes. The authorities have approved, and the construction of the wind turbines can begin. The goal for all Mercedes-Benz production sites worldwide is to operate entirely with renewable energies by 2039.

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