New S-Class Production Begins in Sindelfingen, Germany

Mercedes-BenzMercedes-BenzGermany, 1924 > present197 models
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has begun production of the new S-ClassMercedes-Benz S-Class 6Germany, 2014 > present39 versions
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at its factory in Sindelfingen, Germany, and the first car is scheduled to go on sale on July 20. It has invested €1 billion in the factory in 2013 to begin S-Class production. Mercedes believes that the S-Class has so many options available that the factory will not make two identical S-Classes in the current generation's lifetime.

 "Our production is breaking the mold: we made it fit for the future by implementing numerous new processes for manufacturing the S-Class," said Andreas Renschler, Daimler head of manufacturing.  

The investment in the Sindelfingen factory includes €350 million for the body shop, €130 million in the press shop and €70 million in assembly. It has also made investments into training workers on joining the S-Class's cast aluminum parts.

More of the €1 billion investment went into making the factory more efficient. The energy used to make each S-Class has been reduced by 20% per car.

The customization for the car means that parts are assembled on separate assembly lines. For example, because there are multiple rear seat options, the area behind the rear seat is preassembled on its own and then joined to the interior.

By the time production ends, Mercedes is promising that the S-Class will have the most diverse lineup of any generation of it ever. In addition to the short wheelbase, long wheelbase and coupe, there will be three other still-unannounced models.