Car brand Mercedes-Benz will spend 1 billion euros to adapt its global production network to produce electric vehicles for electric powertrain systems, including batteries, electric drives, and axles, starting in 2024.
This is reported by Reuters.
It is noted that factories in Kamenka and Unterturkheim in Germany, as well as in Beijing, where they already assemble batteries for electric and hybrid models, will assemble batteries for models on future MMA and MB.EA platforms, while another battery assembly plant in Kelleda is waiting for support from the regional government.
Also, the plants in Unterturkheim, Beijing, and Sebes (Romania) will produce electric drives for cars on the new platforms, while Hamburg and Unterturkheim will remain the leading assembly plants for electric axles and components.
In June, management and employee representatives reached an agreement to convert European auto plants to electric vehicles, making Sindelfingen home to high-end cars on the AMG.EA platform, Bremen and Kecskemet in Hungary for the core luxury models, and Rastatt and Kecskemet for the production of lower-end vehicles.
The automaker has set up its car plants to produce both internal combustion engines and electric vehicles on the same production line, but it is more difficult to assemble batteries and engines on the same line.
However, many component factories will continue to produce parts for internal combustion engine vehicles as long as there is demand.