Mercedes to Increase V-12 Engine Production

Daimler AG’s Mercedes-Benz unit is shifting production of V-12 engines from Affalterbach, Germany, to its plant in Mannheim to keep pacing with surging demand for the twin-turbo powerplant. The company didn’t say how many more V-12 engines it expects to produce in Mannheim.

The move, due to take place in February, also will free up production capacity to build more V-8 engines at Affalterbach.

Mercedes is adding a new assembly line for the V-12s at the historic Mannheim facility, which was opened in 1908. Each engine will be assigned its own technician to complete the hand-assembly process. The Mannheim technicians will be trained for several weeks by their counterparts at the Affalterbach facility.

The large 6.0-liter V-12 engines are used in a variety of Mercedes’ high-end AMG models, including the S 65, S 65 Coupe, G 65 and SL 65. The engines will continue to be developed in Affalterbach.