Mercedes-Benz Integrates AI in Series Production: CLA Leads the Way Mercedes-Benz has officially started the production of its next-generation CLA model at the Rastatt plant in Germany, marking a pivotal step in the company’s shift toward digitalized, sustainable, and flexible vehicle manufacturing.
A New Era of Vehicle Production
The Rastatt facility now produces the new CLA using a flexible powertrain strategy, accommodating electric, hybrid, and traditional combustion systems on a single production line. This is made possible by the extensive modernization of an existing assembly hall, which was remodeled in record time using cutting-edge digital simulation tools.
“Digital First”: AI, Digital Twin, and MB.OS Integration
At the heart of this transformation is the MO360 digital production ecosystem, now upgraded with artificial intelligence, a digital twin, and—for the first time—the Mercedes-Benz Operating System (MB.OS). This chip-to-cloud software architecture allows seamless software updates and system integration via a centralized cloud, reducing reliance on numerous hardware modules.
Rastatt now serves as a global benchmark for the future roll-out of MB.OS across all Mercedes-Benz manufacturing sites.
Major Investment in Germany’s Automotive Future
The production upgrade in Rastatt was supported by a mid triple-digit million euro investment. The plant is a vital hub in a broader network, with parts and components supplied from other strategic locations:
Stuttgart-Untertürkheim: Electric drive units and axles
Kamenz: Lithium-ion batteries via the Mercedes-Benz subsidiary Accumotive
Kuppenheim: Structural body components and a pioneering battery recycling facility
Production of the CLA for the Chinese market will be handled by Beijing Benz Automotive Co., Ltd. Meanwhile, additional models from this new vehicle generation will be produced in Kecskemét, Hungary.
Sustainability at the Core
Production at Rastatt is carbon-neutral and powered by 100% green electricity, sourced from both onsite solar energy (up to 8 MWp) and external suppliers. Advanced measures have reduced the plant’s energy use by over 15 GWh annually. Innovations include:
AI-optimized paint booths that cut energy consumption by 20%
Energy-saving robotics and intelligent lighting systems
Heat recovery systems in ventilation
An upcoming 11 MWh organic solid-flow battery storage system developed in partnership with CMBlu Energy AG
Circular economy principles are also emphasized. Recycled steel and aluminum from the Kuppenheim plant support resource efficiency, while finished vehicles are transported using electric trucks, reducing COâ‚‚ emissions in logistics.
Supporting Jobs and the Region
With around 6,000 employees, the Rastatt plant is the region’s largest employer. The start of CLA production further secures jobs and boosts the local economy. According to Murat Sür, Chairman of the Works Council, the investment is a strong commitment to both the workforce and regional suppliers.
Strategic Site Contributions
Untertürkheim – Powering Innovation
Home to key facilities in Mettingen and Hedelfingen, Untertürkheim supplies electric motors, gear systems, and fully assembled drive units and axles. With more than 2 million components shipped annually, it remains central to Mercedes-Benz’s e-mobility strategy.
Kamenz – Battery Expertise
The Kamenz-based Accumotive plant has over a decade of battery production experience. Since 2012, more than 2 million battery systems have been manufactured here, making it a cornerstone of the global battery network.
Kuppenheim – Bodywork and Battery Recycling
Kuppenheim supplies bodyshell parts for the CLA and is home to Europe’s first battery recycling plant using mechanical-hydrometallurgical technology. The facility embodies the circular economy Mercedes-Benz aims to implement across all its operations.
Quotes from Leadership
“With the CLA, Mercedes-Benz is ushering in a new era. The best guarantee for the long-term success of electromobility is top-of-the-range products like the CLA.”
— Ola Källenius, Chairman of the Board of Management, Mercedes-Benz Group AG
“The new CLA marks the start of another chapter in the 30-year success story of our Rastatt plant. It reflects our commitment to digital, sustainable, and flexible production.”
— Jörg Burzer, Member of the Board of Management, Mercedes-Benz Group AG
“The best electric vehicles should come from Germany—and the very best from Baden-Württemberg.”
— Winfried Kretschmann, Minister President of Baden-Württemberg
The new CLA production at Rastatt represents more than just a new model rollout—it’s a demonstration of how future-oriented design, intelligent technology, and sustainable practices can come together in modern automotive manufacturing. Mercedes-Benz is not only investing in innovative vehicles but also in the ecosystems and people that power them.
In addition to the previously mentioned sites, the Mercedes-Benz plant in SebeÈ™, Romania also plays a key role in the production network. This facility supplies electric drive units for the new generation of vehicles that will be assembled at the Kecskemét plant in Hungary. The integration of SebeÈ™ into the production chain highlights the broader European collaboration behind the company’s shift toward electric mobility.
