Mercedes-Benz is to build a new battery factory in Jawor, Poland, creating 300 jobs and expanding the global battery production network of Mercedes to nine factories across three continents.
The announcement follows up on the German automotive manufacturer’s electric initiative, under which the company will “electrify the complete portfolio until 2022″.
Mercedes is currently building a “state-of-the-art engine factory” at the site in Jawor, 100 kilometres from the German border. This plant “will produce four cylinder engines for hybrid and conventionally driven vehicles” and will be the first production site of Mercedes cars in Poland.
Polish prime minister Mateusz Morawiecki said Mercedes’ decision to invest further in the country “shows that companies that have started operations here want to continue to grow here”. “We are witnessing the 4.0 industrial revolution in which Poland plays a leading role.”
Frank Deiss, head of production at Mercedes described the Jawor engine plant and battery factory as “important plants of our global powertrain”.
The Jawor engine factory will start production in 2019, with the battery facility to follow. “The series production of batteries for vehicles of the product and technology brand EQ is slated for the beginning of the next decade.”
Mercedes’ owner Daimler said the group buys its battery cells “on the world market and commissions the suppliers to manufacture according to specific specifications”.
The company did not disclose the new battery plant’s production capacity.
Separately, the European Commission has granted approval for the Polish government to provide €36 million aid in support of LG Chem’s €325 million (US$41.3) investment to build a “vertically integrated manufacturing plant for the production of lithium-ion batteries in the Dolnoślaskie”.
