22 Sep 2026
- This year Star Transmission celebrates 25 years of industrial and engineering expertise in Cugir
- The company’s roots in Mercedes-Benz production reach back to the first industrial cooperation in 1995
- Over the past 25 years, the site has continuously expanded its manufacturing and engineering capabilities
- The adaptability and commitment of around 900 highly qualified employees provide a strong foundation for the site’s continued development
Cugir, Romania.
In 2026, Star Transmission, a Mercedes-Benz subsidiary based in Cugir, celebrates its 25th anniversary. A milestone that reflects the company’s continuous development and its growing role within the Mercedes-Benz global production network.
What began as a partnership for precision components has evolved into an established manufacturing and engineering location. Today, Star Transmission is part of Mercedes-Benz in Romania alongside its sister company, Star Assembly in Sebeș. Together, the companies successfully contribute components, powertrain systems and technical expertise to the global Mercedes-Benz production network.
“Congratulations to the Star Transmission team on reaching this important milestone. For 25 years, our colleagues in Cugir have shaped the plant’s development and strengthened its position within Mercedes-Benz. This anniversary stands for continuous progress and the strong foundation the site has built. Star Transmission will help strengthen the resilience of our global production network in the years ahead.”
Thomas Schulz, Vice President Production Powertrain Mercedes-Benz Cars
“Over the past 25 years, we have continuously expanded our capabilities in Romania – from component manufacturing to a broad range of manufacturing and engineering competencies. We are very proud to be a more and more important pillar of the global Mercedes-Benz powertrain network. This development has been made possible by the expertise and high commitment of our employees and by our ability to continuously adapt to new technologies and requirements.”
Gheorghe Achim, General Manager of Star Transmission and Star Assembly
A partnership that began before the company itself
The origins of Star Transmission date back to 1995, several years before the company was officially established.
In autumn of 1995, representatives of the Mechanical Plant in Cugir attended a national industrial exhibition in Bucharest, where Daimler-Benz AG was seeking partners for high-precision metal components. Following a demanding qualification process, the Cugir plant was selected to manufacture gears and shafts for the Mercedes-Benz A-Class transmission.
This partnership marked an important milestone: Daimler-Benz gained a manufacturing partner with a 200-year metalworking tradition, while Cugir entered a new phase of industrial development.
Building on this successful collaboration, Star Transmission was established in 2001, creating the foundation for a long-term Mercedes-Benz presence in Romania.
From manufacturing excellence to engineering expertise
Over the past 25 years, Star Transmission has steadily expanded its capabilities from precision manufacturing to engineering, process development and international knowledge transfer.
Today, the company manufactures precision-machined components for transmissions and engines, while also developing tooling, measuring equipment, machining technologies and heat-treatment processes.
The components leaving the Cugir plant contribute to powertrain systems of Mercedes-Benz vehicles across the global production network.
The site’s physical footprint has developed alongside its technological capabilities: from approximately 8,000 square meters of production space at the beginning to around 40,000 square meters of production and engineering facilities today.
Growing with the Mercedes-Benz production network
The establishment of the sister company Star Assembly in Sebeș marked another important milestone for Mercedes-Benz in Romania. While Star Transmission specializes in mechanical components and manufacturing technologies, Star Assembly focusses on the assembly of powertrain systems for combustion-engine, hybrid and electric vehicles.
Together, the two locations contribute complementary competencies to the vehicle production of Mercedes-Benz worldwide, demonstrating how the industrial presence in Romania has developed from its beginnings in Cugir into a broader part of the global production network.
25 years shaped by people and community
Star Transmission’s development has been shaped by the dedication of its employees. This commitment is reflected in long-term investment in qualifications and education. Since 2013, Star Transmission and Star Assembly have supported dual vocational education in Alba County and cooperated with vocational schools and universities to help prepare future specialists for Romania’s manufacturing sector.
Beyond the workforce, the companies remain closely connected to the communities of Cugir and Sebeș, supporting initiatives in education, healthcare, environmental protection, sports and social inclusion.
Building on 25 years of expertise
As the automotive industry transforms through electrification, digitalization and new manufacturing technologies, Star Transmission continues to build on the adaptability that has shaped its development from the beginning. The company aims to further develop its competencies in line with the transformation of the Mercedes-Benz production network, supported by committed employees, technological adaptability and a long-term commitment to quality.
The anniversary marks both a recognition of what has been achieved and a starting point for the next chapter of Star Transmission in Romania.
About Star Transmission
Star Transmission is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mercedes-Benz AG and an integral part of the global Mercedes-Benz Cars powertrain production network. With more than two decades of presence in Romania, the company has developed into a center of competence for gearwheels and powertrain components, combining manufacturing capabilities with engineering expertise and a highly skilled workforce.