The carmaker Mercedes Benz wants to produce significantly more electric drive units in Untertürkheim than previously planned. Employer and employee representatives have agreed on a doubling of the planned capacities as part of a new company agreement. The ramp-up will begin in 2024, with a total of one million electric drives be produced, the company announced on Tuesday in Stuttgart. Mercedes is thus making its “traditional location in the Neckar Valley fit for the future,” said CEO Jörg Burzer (52). This underlines the orientation of the plant in the global production network for powertrains.
The transformation of the site is making great strides, said site manager Frank Deiss (59). The location is not only involved in the transformation of the company, but an essential part, explained the chairman of the works council in Untertürkheim, Michael Häberle (53).
In Untertürkheim, Mercedes produces drive components such as motors, batteries, axles and transmissions with around 16,000 employees. Around 3000 employees work in research and development in this area. Parts of the electric drive systems are already being developed and tested today. Construction of the new assembly lines will begin next year.