Mercedes-Benz has announced a production ramp-up of electric drive units and axles for its electric CLA model at its Stuttgart-Untertürkheim plant, signaling a further step in the company’s transition toward electrification.
Although drive units for the 800-volt electric sedan have been in preparation for some time, the company now describes the current phase as a “successful ramp-up.” The newly expanded production focuses primarily on rear-axle drive units for the rear-wheel-drive CLA 250+ and the all-wheel-drive CLA 350 4MATIC. While the rear unit is an in-house development, the front-axle drive for the all-wheel-drive variant continues to be sourced externally.
The drive system components, including wheelsets and control units, are produced across several Mercedes-Benz locations—Untertürkheim, Mettingen, and Hedelfingen—and are assembled into complete units at the Untertürkheim site. These assembled drive units are then integrated into electric axles at Mettingen and delivered to the Rastatt plant, where CLA production began earlier this year.
Mercedes-Benz highlighted the complexity of the production process, noting that the assembly line for electric drive units in Untertürkheim spans approximately 10,000 square meters and includes over 200 manual and automated steps along a 1,000-meter line. The facility, previously used for combustion engine assembly, now plays a central role in the company’s EV manufacturing operations.
The Stuttgart plant will also take on additional responsibilities in the future. A recent works agreement between management and labor representatives confirms the site as a designated location for producing electric drive systems for future top-tier Mercedes models. Battery assembly will be added at the nearby Brühl plant, further reinforcing the region’s importance in the automaker’s EV production network.
The developments underscore Untertürkheim’s evolving role within Mercedes-Benz’s global powertrain strategy, as the company continues its push toward carbon-neutral mobility through high-tech electrified drive systems.
