From conventional to fully electric drives – all assembly steps for vehicles with different body styles and drive systems can be carried out on one level at Factory 56. On the occasion of the opening, Daimler said that the plant’s flexibility regards the number of models produced, the production volume and the flow of materials.

Initially, the new generation of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class sedan and long-wheelbase version will roll off the production line at Factory 56. Later, the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class and the EQS will also be produced here on the same line. Compared to the previous S-Class assembly line in Sindelfingen, production in the new plant will be 25 per cent more efficient, according to the Group. The flexibility that the German carmaker is describing means that whereas in the past a separate production line had to be built and operated for luxury class sedans, Factory 56 can theoretically integrate compact cars or SUVs with conventional, PHEV or BEV drive into series production within a few days. This should enable production to be adapted quickly and flexibly to market demand.

However, this kind of flexibility does not come cheaply: Daimler has invested 730 million euros in the 220,000 square meters Factory 56 alone, and with further measures at the Sindelfingen plant, the total investment in the location will even increase to 2.1 billion euros.