While Mercedes Vans targets high-profit segments with its future EVs, the automaker is taking the scalpel to prices.
Consolidating future merchandise on a single car structure reduces complexity and will increase economies of scale, Geisen stated. VAN.EA can accommodate “applications mid to large, private or commercial, on only one architecture,” he stated.
Mercedes can be simplifying its EV portfolio — decreasing the variety of variants by greater than half in contrast with the present gas-powered vary.
The automaker stated a leaner lineup and better manufacturing facility automation would lower manufacturing hours per car by as much as 25 p.c mid-decade.
Initially, VAN.EA car manufacturing is about for Mercedes factories in Jawor, Poland; Vitoria, Spain; and Düsseldorf, Germany.
Geisen declined to say when manufacturing will start at Mercedes’ van meeting plant in North Charleston, S.C.
“You don’t have to wait too long,” the manager teased. “[Charleston] is crucial for us because the U.S. is one of our core growth markets.”
While Europe accounts for 60 p.c of Mercedes van worldwide gross sales, U.S. demand is accelerating.
Mercedes stated it sees vital development potential for premium business massive vans within the U.S., the place the share doubled up to now 5 years to 16 p.c final yr.
The U.S. is the second-largest marketplace for Mercedes’ workhorse Sprinter van after Germany. The automaker will debut a Charleston-made electrical model of the Sprinter within the U.S. this yr.
Geisen added: “The more vehicles we can get out of Charleston, the more economic sense it makes.”
Source: www.autonews.com