Berlin plant to produce transmission-integrated electric engines from 2012

From 2012 the Mercedes-Benz plant in Berlin will become responsible for the production of transmission-integrated electric engines for Mercedes-Benz hybrid vehicles. The Berlin plant will gain a key role in the further development and production of electric technology that will become very important in its future portfolio.

According to Volker Stauch, Head of Powertrain Production at Mercedes-Benz Cars: “The electrification of the drive system will play an important part in mobility in the future. The Berlin plant already has a wealth of expertise in the manufacture of electrically controlled components. Through this decision, this site will play an even more important part in shaping the future drive systems portfolio of Mercedes-Benz.”

Thomas Uhr, head of the Mercedes-Benz plant in Berlin, adds: “The whole team in Berlin has worked long and hard on building up the site’s potential in the field of electric mobility. It is thanks to our employees that our overall package has proved convincing. Our goal is to continue to gain points with our services in future and to help shape the age of electric mobility.”

The building up technology for the electrification of drive systems and the decision to award the contract for the development and production of the new transmission-integrated electric engine to Berlin are part of Mercedes-Benz strategy to have a leading role in terms of sustainable mobility. Also part of this strategy Daimler has two joint ventures with Evonik Industries AG for the development and production of battery cells and the future manufacture of lithium ion battery systems.

Daimler will be investing 40 million euros in the development and production of the new engine. A hall with a surface area of 4,000 m² is being converted for the new scope of production at the Berlin plant.