Mercedes-Benz Trucks is set to celebrate the start of series production for the eActros 600 at its Wörth plant in late November 2024, marking a milestone in the company’s electrification efforts.
Mercedes-Benz Drives Forward its Electrification Efforts
Recently awarded “International Truck of the Year 2025” at IAA Transportation in Hannover, the eActros 600 will have its first customer units produced and registered by year-end.
Key components for this production come from the Mercedes-Benz‘s plants in Gaggenau and Kassel. The Gaggenau plant, specializing in heavy-duty transmissions, is evolving into a hub for electric drive components. Since 2021, it has produced parts for the e-axle powering the eActros 300/400 and eEconic trucks. This experience is now extended to the next-generation e-axle for the eActros 600, with Gaggenau producing approximately 30 transmission components—such as shafts, gears, and synchronizer parts—that are later assembled in Kassel.
In addition, Gaggenau manufactures bodyshell components for the eActros 600‘s cab, including structural parts like the rear panel and roof frame. Drawing on years of expertise, the plant upholds high-quality standards for Mercedes-Benz’s new battery-electric long-haul truck. Advanced technologies are employed to ensure precision and quality in component performance.
Thomas Twork, Plant Manager at Gaggenau, emphasised the synergy between tradition and innovation, saying, “No future without the past.” He highlighted Gaggenau’s vital role in Daimler’s move toward zero-emission transport by leveraging its expertise in high-precision components.
The Kassel plant, a global leader in axle and electric drive system assembly, plays a critical role in the eActros 600 project by assembling the newly developed e-axle, optimised specifically for long-haul applications. Kassel has introduced a new assembly line equipped with advanced testing stations to ensure rigorous quality standards. Following a “common parts principle,” the e-axle incorporates core components from Kassel’s conventional axle production, benefitting from over 20 years of experience.
The assembly process in Kassel includes several stages to create a high-performance e-axle. Initial steps involve preparing the axle carrier for wheel hubs, drive shafts, and brake drums. Pre-assembled transmission parts and electric motors are then installed, followed by an “end-of-line” test, where each axle undergoes mechanical and electrical inspections, leak tests, and simulated driving conditions. Once completed, the e-axle is shipped to the Wörth plant for final assembly.
