The Daimler subsidiary in Romania, Star Assembly, has officially started to produce the 8G-DCT eight-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. To integrate this new product in the transmission portfolio, Daimler has built two new production halls in Sebes, with an area of about 54,000 square meters. “The expansion of the gearbox production in Sebes highlights the importance, flexibility and high performance of the production centers in Romania, within the global powertrain network Mercedes-Benz Cars.
Sebes unit has a key role in delivering cutting edge transmissions to the Mercedes-Benz car plants all over the world, in a flexible and efficient manner”, says the Powertrain Production Manager of Mercedes-Benz Cars, Frank Deiss. Automatic transmissions installed on the Mercedes-Benz cars are produced within the Powertrain production network, at the headquarter located in Untertürkheim, Germany, and at the Star Assembly plant in Sebes, Romania. On the occasion of the official launch of the new transmission, the General Manager of the Romanian representation, Klaus Eichhorn, welcomed the Powertrain Production Manager of Mercedes-Benz Cars, Frank Deiss, the Minister for the Business Environment, Commerce and Entrepreneurship, Stefan-Radu Oprea, as well as other many guests in the political and business environment.
“Today, we are witnessing another positive outcome of the long-term partnership between Daimler and Romania, as a production location. We salute the company’s decision, one of the most important actors in the mobility industry worldwide, to implement a new significant project in Romania. I take advantage of this opportunity to express once again the Government’s full support for all the investment projects started in Romania”, stated the Minister for Business Environment, Commerce and Entrepreneurship, Stefan-Radu Oprea.
The transmission systems manufactured in Sebes, delivered all over the world
“We are the first and only location in the Mercedes-Benz Cars powertrain production network which produces the new eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. For this responsibility, we have intensely trained and have taken all the necessary steps to deliver the highest-quality Mercedes-Benz gearboxes. Daimler Group’s commitment and investments in developing the Sebes and Cugir locations in Romania, is a powerful declaration of trust in our extremely well trained and committed team, as well as a recognition of the remarkable work”, stated the General Manager of Star Transmission and Star Assembly, Klaus Eichhorn.
The new 8G-DCT gearbox: More gears, higher torque
The new 8G-DCT double clutch automatic transmission was presented for the first time in relation to the diesel engines installed on the new B-Class model, which is delivered to customers starting with February 2019. Other models in the new family of compact vehicles will be equipped with 8G-DCT.
About Star Assembly and Star Transmission
Daimler’s subsidiaries in Sebes and Cugir are key pillars in the global Mercedes-Benz Cars powertrain production network, currently having over 3000 employees. At Star Assembly, seven- and eight-speed dual-clutch automatic gearboxes and nine-speed transmissions are assembled for Mercedes-Benz. At Star Transmission, gears, mechanically machined parts for engines, transmissions, high pressure pipes and steering systems are produced. In addition, the Technology Center and a training area are also here. The Star Assembly subsidiary was established in 2013 in Sebes, and the production of the five-speed automatic gearbox took place in the same year. The production of the 9G-Tronic nine-speed automatic gearbox takes place in the same location, too. With the Romanian Government’s support, Star Transmission is one of the first companies in Romania offering a dual education system, based on the Baden- Württemberg model.
