Start of production at Mercedes-Benz plant in Sindelfingen: The first new E-Class rolls off the line

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On the first day of March, the first new E-Class 2013 generation rolled off the production line at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Sindelfingen. Since the assembly of this model series has begun at Sindelfingen about 60 years ago, the E-Class has been widely recognized as the benchmark in its segment. With over 13 million units sold up to date, it easily is the most successful business limousine in history.

"The start of production for our new E-Class represents a milestone in our growth strategy. With the E-Class we set new standards in the luxury class, to optimally meet our customers' demands," said Dr. Wolfgang Bernhard, member of Daimler AG management board in charge with production and procurement for Mercedes-Benz Cars & Mercedes-Benz Vans. "In just 45 minutes, we made the transition from the previous generation to the new E-Class - that is the benchmark."

With the new E-Class, the changeover time between the past and the new model series was significantly reduced - only 45 minutes to ensure that about 2,000 new parts are seamlessly integrated into the new production process. This was made possible by an excellent collaboration between development, planning, logistics and production departments. The entire process chain is located at Sindelfingen and is fully geared to the requirements of the new E-Class: from the pressing plant in charge with the production of the new body panels to assembly and paint finish. In this specific way, the typical Mercedes-Benz top build quality is ensured right from the start.

Dr. Willi Reiss, Head of the Mercedes-Benz plant in Sindelfingen commented: "What our team has done with the launch of the E-Class is great. Only shortly after the release of the new CLS Shooting Brake, we succeeded again in providing a new Sindelfingen top product on the wheels. For this achievement, I wish to thank all the employees involved."

The most visible changes are present on the new front end. The new Elegance and Avantgarde variants are now even more striking and distinguishable. One of the major advantages customers of the new E-Class have is the versatile production process that allows numerous customization options. This means that, throughout the entire life cycle of the model, there will not be any completely identical vehicles. In addition to the new E-Class sedan, the assembly of the the E-Class wagon, E-Class hybrid variants and also the CLS and the CLS Shooting Brake takes place on the same line. Over 500 of some 1,500 jobs were changing the framework conditions for the installation of the new vehicle parts. In total, around 3,400 people were intensively prepared and trained for a period over ten months in advance to the 1st March 2013, the date of transition between the two E-Class model generations.

The new E-Class

With the new E-Class, Mercedes-Benz is not only setting a new standard in the luxury class, but it is also revolutionizing the entire segment. With new and efficient engines, new assistance systems and a new design philosophy, Mercedes-Benz reaffirms its leading position. Both the sedan and the station wagon celebrate world premiere of eleven new or enhanced assistance systems. They combine comfort and safety. The new E-Class also takes a significant step forward in terms of efficiency and ecology with the new powerful BlueDIRECT four-cylinder petrol engines with direct fuel injection. The strong technical package is also reflected in the design. With its new styling, the new E-Class brings efficiency, intelligence and emotion under the same roof.

The Mercedes-Benz plant in Sindelfingen

The Mercedes-Benz plant in Sindelfingen is the world's largest production facility of Daimler AG and the competence center for passenger cars in the upper and luxury class of the global production network of Mercedes-Benz Cars division. In recent years, the staff of more than 22,000 employees has assembled over 420,000 combined units of the C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, CL, CLS Coupé, CLS Shooting Brake and SLS AMG​​.

Credits: Daimler AG

Copyright © 2013, mercedesgla. All rights reserved.

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REPORT: Mercedes-Benz reorganizes the S-Class production schedule

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The European market is facing yet another major hit after the economic downturn began in late 2008. The situation is worsening constantly, as clients lose their initial capabilities to afford buying a personal vehicles. Not only the mass automobile producers are suffering from this illness, but also the premium constructors are faced with the challenge of staying afloat and not deepening into the crisis.

After parent company Daimler officially announced it has revised the profit figures for the end of 2012 and the next year, executives from the Mercedes-Benz plant in Sindelfingen have taken decision to reduce the current production plan for S-Class W 221 generation and cut away one shift in order to meet the declining sales for the high luxury model.

According to market researchers JATO Dynamics, the German carmaker managed to sell only 5,227 units in eight months during 2012, which is 27 percent less compared to previous year figures. Even though the S-Class brings Mercedes-Benz the highest revenue vale per each unit sold, the Sindelfingen facility will now focus most of the activity on the production of C-Class models.

It is obvious that some mistakes have been made in postponing the launch of a new generation S-Class. Initially, the W 222 was programmed to be officially unveiled at the Paris Motor Show, but the current crisis led German bosses to act cautiously and demand a delay, to make sure everything is entirely perfect with the new luxury limousine.

According to recent rumors, the new S-Class could show up at the Los Angeles Auto Show at the end of November at a private event where select automotive journalists and global dealers will be invited to get a preview. However, others speculate the S-Class will be first introduced at next year's NAIAS Detroit during the press days, while the public premiere will take place at Geneva automotive salon in March 2013.

No matter which path is approached, we will not be seeing the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class any time soon. However, one argument is certain: the Stuttgart-based carmaker needs to bring the new W 222 once and for all, if they want to avoid more headaches in the future. The future now rests on the shoulders of the upcoming S-Class generation, already seen as the major revolution since the birth of the automobile in 1886.

P.S.: We get the information that the most prominent Mercedes-Benz CEOs in the world, including Steve Cannon, have already got their first look at the new vehicle. The head of the MBUSA division is quoted as tweeting on his official Twitter account: "Incredibly successful dealer meeting in Vegas! We showed the all-new S-Class: the sum total of 126 years of leadership!"

Info Credits: Automotive News of Europe

Copyright © 2012, mercedesgla. All rights reserved.

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First CLS Shooting Brake comes off the line at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Sindelfingen

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Premiere at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Sindelfingen: the first production model of the CLS Shooting Brake rolled off today. With the all-new vehicle that combines the emotional style of a coupé with an innovative concept of space and a comfortable atmosphere, Mercedes-Benz is further expanding its premium product range to a new level. The CLS Shooting Brake is assembled at the Sindelfingen plant, with the production running in conjunction with the CLS Coupé and the E-Class sedan on the same line.

"We are pleased to produce another dream car from Mercedes-Benz at the Sindelfingen plant: the CLS Shooting Brake. The production of this innovative vehicle concept strengthens our position and reinforces our role as a center for the upper class cars," said Dr. Willi Reiss, head of the Mercedes-Benz plant in Sindelfingen. "The perfect integration of the CLS Shooting Brake in our manufacturing processes reflects the flexibility of our production and pf our team of specialists."

The Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake

With the new CLS Shooting Brake, Mercedes-Benz is once again setting an example when it comes to creativity of design, and as such highlighting its leading role in this area: in terms of its proportions, the new CLS is quite clearly a coupé, but with five doors and a roof which continues through to the rear, it promises some remarkable new possibilities. The idea of the four-door coupé – successfully introduced in 2004 with the first CLS and long imitated in the meantime – has now been taken to new heights and to innovative effect. The result is automotive independence at its most beautiful.

Credits: Daimler AG

Copyright © 2012, mercedesgla. All rights reserved.

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Production milestone: Mercedes-Benz Sindelfingen plant produces the 750,000th C-Class Limousine

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On 26 June 2012, for the 750,000th time, a C-Class Limousine of the current W 204 series left the production line at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Sindelfingen. "Behind each of these 750,000 vehicles in Sindelfingen is the enthusiasm of the automaker," said plant manager Willi Reiss. "The number speak for itself - and shows how popular the C-Class sedan is." The milestone vehicle, a C 220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY in Avantgarde trim in iridium silver metallic exterior paint finish, goes to a customer in Karlsruhe. As additional safety features, the vehicle includes ATTENTION ASSIST, Blind Spot Assist and Lane Keeping Assist.

The C-Class Limousine

Comfort, efficiency and reliability - these attributes are associated with the C-Class Limousine. With excellent handling characteristics and a distinctive design, the highest-volume series from Mercedes-Benz scores with a versatile product concept which meets the different customer expectations. For the full year 2011, the C-Class Limousine was once again the most successful model in its segment  with more than 270,000 units sold. According to the latest Vehicle Ownership Satisfaction Study of the market research firm JD Power and Associates, the owners of C-Class models are the most satisfied customers in the premium middle class - for the third year in a row. The current series of the C-Class Limousine has been assembled at Sindelfingen since March 2007 and since March last year in the facelifted generation. Other production facilities around the globe include the factories in Bremen, Beijing / China and East London / South Africa.

Credits: Daimler AG

Copyright © 2012, mercedesgla. All rights reserved.

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Production milestone at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Sindelfingen: 500,000th E-Class sedan leaves the factory line

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Less than three years after the start of production, the Mercedes-Benz plant in Sindelfingen achieves a high score: half a million E-Class sedans from the W 212 series rolled off the assembly line up to this moment. The anniversary vehicle is an E 350 4MATIC in Calcit White exterior paint finish and boasting an extensive equipment, which is bound to reach a customer from the USA. In addition to the standard safety package, the limousine also features the Active Lane Keeping Assist and Active Blind Spot Assist systems on board.

"The E-Class is the epitome of a luxury sedan: modern, fascinating and safe. These facts are continuously confirmed by our clients and the high acceptance in the market. I am particularly pleased that our anniversary vehicle goes to a satisfied customer from the United States, "said Dr. Willi Reiss, head of the Mercedes-Benz plant in Sindelfingen.


Since the launch in May 2009, the E-Class of the W 212 series appealed to public in terms of comfort, safety and design. An impressive collection of major national and international awards confirm the high popularity of this model. For example, the E-Class was voted as favourite car in Germany and thus received the ADAC Yellow Angel Award,  as well as the German Design Award for the styling philosophy it displays.


The E-Class has a long tradition in the portfolio of Mercedes-Benz. Since the first E-Class came out of the factory some sixty years ago, no less than eight different generations have been premiered during this period and more than ten million units have been sold to clients all around the world. This unique performance makes the E-Class the most successful business limousine of all time.


The Mercedes-Benz plant in Sindelfingen is world's largest manufacturing plant of Daimler AG. In the global production network of Mercedes-Benz Cars, the Sindelfingen plant has a special role as center of excellence for luxury-class passenger cars.

Credits: Daimler AG

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