Mercedes-Benz begins electric drive unit production for GLC in Sebes

Mercedes-Benz has started producing electric drive units for the all-electric GLC at its Sebes plant in Romania, marking a milestone in the brand’s European electrification network and workforce transformation.

Mercedes-Benz has officially started production of electric drive units for the all-new fully electric GLC at its subsidiary Star Assembly in Sebes, Romania. The launch marks a major milestone in the plant’s transformation and expands its role within the company’s global production network.

Since its founding in 2013, the Sebes facility has been known for assembling 9G-TRONIC and 8G-DCT automatic transmissions. Now, with a new 30,000-square-meter facility, the site enters the electric era. The assembly line stretches nearly one kilometer and includes over 200 production steps, many of them automated. All employees working on the new line have been reassigned from other areas and have completed internal retraining programs designed for the transition to e-mobility.

Sebes becomes the second Mercedes-Benz plant worldwide to supply electric drive units to the company’s vehicle production sites. Beginning next year, units from Romania will power the electric GLC produced in Bremen, followed by deliveries to the Kecskemet plant in Hungary, where the electric C-Class will enter production.

The new facility is fully integrated into the MO360 digital ecosystem, allowing complete traceability of components and real-time data analysis. Production operates on a net carbon-neutral basis, powered by renewable energy, and the installation of a photovoltaic system with up to 5 MW capacity is under consideration.

Investments in the project—described as a nine-digit figure—received support from the Romanian government and underline Mercedes-Benz’s commitment to the Alba region. Romanian Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan emphasized that such initiatives not only bring jobs and innovation but also strengthen the nation’s role in the European industrial value chain.

For Mercedes-Benz, the start of production in Sebes represents another step in the company’s broader electrification strategy. Star Assembly is now a key hub where technology, training, and sustainability converge to shape the future of automotive manufacturing in Eastern Europe.