SINDELFINGEN, Germany—Employees at Daimler AG’s next-generation Factory 56 here have begun assembling the Mercedes-Benz EQS sedan. In addition to the electric vehicle, the factory produces the internal combustion engine S-Class.

"The future of our global Mercedes-Benz production network begins with EQS production in Factory 56,” says Jörg Burzer, head of production and supply chain management. “This future is CO₂-neutral, sustainable, fully digitalized, connected and highly flexible.

“The start of production of the EQS is a highlight in our unprecedented electric vehicle initiative in the production area,” claims Burzer. “In 2022, a total of eight Mercedes-EQ electric vehicles will be produced at seven locations on three continents."

“Due to maximum flexibility, the assembly of different models and drive types on one line is possible,” explains Burzer. “The processes and equipment at Factory 56 can be precisely adapted to the requirements of the EQS electric model.

“Different power train variants can thus be connected to the respective vehicle bodies on the same line,” adds Burzer. “Efficiency in production has also been significantly increased, which is partly due to the high level of digitalization.

“The MO360 digital ecosystem forms the basis for production,” says Burzer. “The entire digitalization strategy, with its focus on people, aims to provide the best possible support for the more than 1,500 employees at Factory 56 in their daily work. Having the right qualifications plays an important role, especially when handling high-voltage technology. The employees in vehicle production, therefore, received intense training.”