New Mercedes-Benz 7G-TRONIC Transmission

Press Release

Production: additional factory space created in Stuttgart-Untertürkheim

• Investment of some 400 million euros
• 40,000 square-metre production area employing 1,100 people

DaimlerChrysler has chosen to site production of the world's first standard-fitted seven-speed automatic transmission at the Stuttgart-Untertürkheim factory, which already builds manual and automatic transmissions for other Mercedes models and for the Maybach high-end luxury saloon. Here, at the Hedelfingen transmissions sub-plant, a large new production shop has been built for the 7G-TRONIC. This will create capacity for building up to 2,800 units of the new, fuel-efficient and highly refined automatic transmission per day. A total sum of 400 million euros was invested in the new buildings and production facilities. The production and assembly area for the 7G-TRONIC, which will be standard-fitted in the eight-cylinder models starting in September 2003, comprises three linked production shops with a total area of some 40,000 square metres. One of the shops, with an area of approximately 20,000 square metres, was specially constructed to house assembly facilities and testbeds for the 7G-TRONIC. The production ramp-up for the 7G-TRONIC started in May 2003. By the end of 2004, daily capacity will have reached 2,800 units. As well as underlining the technological leadership of Mercedes-Benz in the automotive industry, the new 7G-TRONIC will safeguard around 1,100 jobs in Stuttgart-Untertürkheim. Appropriate management of the limited surface area available at the transmissions plant was an important priority in the planning and construction of the new production facilities. In order to conserve resources, all production shops where the 7G-TRONIC is built are of two-storey design.