Daimler is grouping all drive system expertise across the group in a new unit called Mercedes-Benz Drive Systems.
The automaker said the move would combine development, production, quality management, planning and procurement under one roof.
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As an internal system supplier, it would be responsible for engines and transmissions, batteries and electric, plus associated hardware and software.
“The drive system is one of the central components of our vehicles and determines the typical Mercedes-Benz driving character – whether it is purely electric, hybrid or conventional,” said Daimler research chief and COO Markus Schaefer.
“This focus will support us in our ambitious goal of being able to offer our customers a complete CO2-free product range in under 20 years.”
Frank Deiss, head of production powertrain and the Untertuerkheim plant, will now also head Mercedes-Benz Drive Systems and become chairman of the corresponding executive board.
He reports to Schaefer.
Torsten Eder, as head of powertrain development and Andreas Friedrich, from 1 August, 2020, head of eDrive development, are also on the board.
In the new structure, overlapping areas of Mercedes-Benz operations, such as logistics, quality management and production planning, are directly connected to the drive systems unit so methods, standards and processes will be synchronised between the body and powertrain plants.
