Sebeș, Romania. Star Assembly celebrated today the ceremonial raising of the first column of the new assembly plant of electric drive units in Sebes. The electric drive systems project will start operations in 2025.
The ceremony was attended by Nicolae Ciucă, the Prime Minister of Romania and Florin Spătaru, Minister of Economy. Gheorghe Achim, general manager, also welcomed numerous other distinguished guest such as Ion Dumitrel, President of Alba County Council, Dorin Nistor, the Mayor of Sebeș, as well as other special guests and company representatives.
The agenda of the event included a networking moment, speeches held by Prime Minister Nicolae Ciucă, Ion Dumitrel, Rudolf Bischof and Gheorghe Achim, followed by the celebratory moment where all guests assisted to the raising of the new building’s first column.
The ceremony for the new production scope marks an important milestone for Star Assembly in the shift from conventional to electric components. Mercedes-Benz is aligning its global production network to manufacture its reshaped product portfolio focused on luxury electric vehicles as the world’s most valuable luxury car brand prepares to go all electric by the end of the decade – wherever market conditions allow. Starting 2025, electric drive units for the next generation all-electric Mercedes-EQ models will be produced here. This investment strengthens the commitment of Mercedes-Benz to the local workforce and further development of the region.
Nicolae-Ionel Ciucă, Prime Minister of Romania: “The start of the construction of a new hall in Sebeș, for electric car components is a strong signal of confidence of the German investors in the Romanian economy and in the professional quality of the employees. I was impressed not only by the attention paid to innovation and quality, but also by the concern towards employment, provided by the preparations of the workers to use new technologies. By what is happening in Sebeș, Romania is part of the economy of the future and is in line with the global efforts to achieve climate neutrality.”
Frank Deiß, Chairman Mercedes-Benz Drive Systems, Head of Production Powertrain Mercedes-Benz Cars and Plant Manager, Mercedes-Benz Untertürkheim: “Producing electric drive units for the next generation all-electric Mercedes-EQ models at our Sebeș plant marks the consistent continuation of the transformation of our global powertrain production network. By implementing the new production scope, we want to set the course for a sustainable business and prepare Star Assembly for an all-electric future. I am sure that the great team here at the site will continue its success story seamlessly with the new product.”
Rudolf Bischof, head of transmission production: “The new production scope underlines the importance, flexibility and efficiency of our production site in Romania, together with the sister-plant Star Transmission in Cugir. In 2022, almost every second Mercedes-Benz has had a transmission of Romania in it. Excellence can only be attained by highly-skilled colleagues, which not only ensure top-quality – but also ensure the great partnership between Germany and Romania. Speaking of partnership and collaboration, we thank the Romanian governmental authorities at all levels – this is essential to carry on with our successful work here.”
Gheorghe Achim, general manager Star Assembly: “On the occasion the new construction start, today we mark the opening of the first chapter of 100% electric mobility in the future of our company here in Romania. The new production scope will mark, for us, an important stage in the transition from conventional to electric components. Also, I would like to express my gratitude for our great local team and the accomplishments shared together. With outstanding work and collaboration, we contributed to the Mercedes-Benz production footprint successfully. We are honored and ready to continue to do so in the future.”
The new facility will have the surface of ~30,000 sq. m. and house the assembly and logistics functions of the electric drive units’ scopes. The building will be raised on Star Assembly’s existing factory site.
Founded in 2013, Star Assembly is responsible for the assembly of several kinds of transmissions for the worldwide Mercedes-Benz production network today. With the production of hybrid units of the 8-gear double clutch transmissions, the company already has made an important step towards e-mobility in 2020. Star Assembly supports its employees in the transformation process with a variety of measures focusing on targeted training programs in the area of e-mobility and digitization.