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Magna, one of the world’s largest automotive suppliers, has reinforced its longstanding collaboration with German luxury carmaker Mercedes-Benz. With a global workforce exceeding 1.75 lakh employees across 343 manufacturing operations and 107 product development, engineering, and sales centres in 28 countries, Magna continues to be a key strategic partner in the automotive industry.
For decades, Magna, also recognised as a leading contract manufacturer, has worked closely with Mercedes-Benz on various vehicle components, including powertrain and drivetrain systems, ADAS technologies, body and chassis components, electrification, interior systems, and complete vehicle assembly.
"Strong partnerships with our customers are essential for driving innovation and advancing the automotive industry," said Eric Wilds, Chief Strategy & Commercial Officer at Magna. "Our continued partnership with Mercedes-Benz exemplifies how working together can lead to ground breaking solutions and mutual success."
A significant milestone in this collaboration is the production of over 5 lakh units of the iconic Mercedes-Benz G-Class luxury SUV and off-roader at Magna’s Graz facility in Austria since 1979. Magna’s state-of-the-art, carbon-neutral plant can manufacture vehicles with conventional, hybrid, and electric powertrains, some on the same production line, showcasing an unmatched level of versatility for an independent manufacturer.
Marking a new chapter in their alliance, Magna commenced production of the eDS Duo—an advanced eDrive system offering exceptional traction capabilities—at its Lannach facility in Austria in 2024. The latest electric model of the legendary off-roader, the Mercedes-Benz G 580, is now powered by this innovative system, designed to enhance performance and efficiency.
"Having supplied three generations of transfer cases for the G-Class, Magna is honoured to now equip this legendary vehicle with its first generation of electric drive units," said Diba Ilunga, President of Magna Powertrain. "The eDS Duo showcases Magna's adaptable approach to powertrain solutions, seamlessly transitioning from internal combustion engines to battery electric vehicles."
The eDS Duo, a two-speed dual e-motor system, delivers up to 240 kW of power, offering superior off-road capabilities, including a unique wheel-individual propulsion system. This enables features like the ‘G-Turn’, which allows the vehicle to rotate 360 degrees in place. Incorporating advanced silicon carbide technology and decoupling features, the eDS Duo ensures optimised efficiency alongside exceptional performance.
With this latest development, Magna and Mercedes-Benz continue to push the boundaries of automotive innovation, reinforcing their commitment to sustainable and high-performance mobility solutions.
