Mercedes-Benz’s Oldest Plant Just Went Electric – Here’s What That Means

Mercedes-Benz is stepping into a new chapter at its Stuttgart-Untertürkheim plant, a site with over 120 years of history. This legendary location is now playing a key role in the brand’s electric future by producing and assembling electric drive units and axles for the all-new CLA. These parts are being built at Stuttgart-Untertürkheim and its Mettingen and Hedelfingen locations, then shipped to the Rastatt plant where the new electric CLA will be manufactured. The bodyshell comes from Kuppenheim, and the batteries are delivered from Kamenz.

This transformation is not just about technology—it is about people. Former engine assembly workers have been retrained for the production of new electric systems. Their skills, experience, and adaptability are now being applied in Hall 141, a facility that once produced traditional engines and now houses the 10,000 square meter, 1,000 meter-long assembly line dedicated to electric drive units. This highly complex line includes over 200 manual and automated steps and is fully integrated into the MO360 digital production platform.

Mercedes-Benz and the workers’ council have signed a new agreement naming Stuttgart-Untertürkheim as a hub for drive systems, including future high-end models. It is a solid move to preserve and future-proof jobs, ensuring this historic site remains vital in the electric era. The factory’s shift to battery-electric and hybrid powertrain components cements its reputation as a global center of excellence.

The facility is also home to the eCampus, a new center for battery research and development, and more than 23,000 employees work across all departments—13,500 of them directly in production. Additionally, the Brühl plant will assemble batteries for future vehicles, while BBAC in China will handle localized CLA production. Other CLA family models will follow from Kecskemét, Hungary, using components from Romania and in-house battery plants.

Untertürkheim continues to evolve while staying true to its heritage. It is not just the heart of Mercedes-Benz’s past—it is driving its future.