Mercedes-Benz has begun production of the EQS at its plant in Sindelfingen, near Stuttgart, where the flagship full-electric sedan will be made alongside hybrid and combustion-engine models.
It is the automaker's first factory to fully implement the MO360 digital production system, Mercedes production boss Jörg Burzer said.
The system is key to managing the highly complex and flexible factory, which is controlled through 5G connectivity.
"A fast data network enabled by 5G and the ability to use it for exact location definition for parts is supporting us in mastering this complexity," Burzer said. "We are convinced we can master the challenges of complexity in assembling all three powertrain variants with sophisticated digitalization tools, and the very fast data transfer from the cloud to the device and the worker, and also from the devices and the parts and logistics system into the cloud."
Burzer said the process of uniting the vehicle body with the drive system would be carried out at several modular stations plant, which Mercedes parent Daimler calls Factory 56, allowing different powertrain variants to be connected to the respective vehicle bodies on the same line.
"Compared to S-Class production before, we calculate that we can boost efficiency by 25 percent, in part through digitalization," Burzer said. "It is possible to increase the utilization of the plant."
The production chief said the company plans to introduce a third shift of S-Class production at Sindelfingen in late June to early July to cope with strong market demand.
By 2022, the automaker aims to build a total of eight EQ electric vehicles at seven locations on three continents.
