Mercedes-Benz opens new MANUFAKTUR Studio and expands MANUFAKTUR range

“Made in Sindelfingen” is a traditional seal of quality for Mercedes-Benz customers. It refers to where top-of-the-range models such as the S-Class, which stand for precision and exclusivity, are produced in the ultra-modern Factory 56. However, Sindelfingen is not only the birthplace of the S-Class, it is also the home of MANUFAKTUR – the cross-brand individualization and personalization program of Mercedes-Benz. Here, specialized employees contribute their expertise in upholstery finishing, interior fittings, fabrication and special paintwork for customization of top-end vehicles. With the strategic further development of the MANUFAKTUR program, Mercedes-Benz continues the tradition of impeccable craftsmanship and enhances the role of Sindelfingen as a top-end vehicle manufacturing location.

Customers seeking exclusive customization can now explore the MANUFAKTUR program firsthand at several locations within the Sindelfingen site. These include the traditional Center of Excellence, the MANUFAKTUR, and the newly opened MANUFAKTUR Studio, which officially launched on December 5, 2024.

“In our new MANUFAKTUR Studio at the heart of the Sindelfingen factory complex, we’re offering our customers an exclusive area for a product experience with the highest degree of customization. By expanding the MANUFAKTUR experience, we are strategically developing the location and the ‘Made in Sindelfingen’ seal of quality. We’re now combining traditional craftsmanship with innovative, digital production processes.” Jörg Burzer, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, Production, Quality & Supply Chain Management.

The MANUFAKTUR program allows discerning clients to customize a selection of vehicles with the star according to their wishes. Whether it’s exterior paints or exclusive interior materials, MANUFAKTUR offers numerous options for creating your personal dream car. Due to the program’s success, we are expanding it further. In the new MANUFAKTUR studio, customers can witness their wishes being turned into reality. Here, select equipment handcrafted at MANUFAKTUR is installed into its respective vehicle. We are also excited to offer a variety of new exclusive colors and interior equipment for the S-Class next year. Michael Schiebe, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-AMG GmbH and Head of the Mercedes-Benz G-Class & Mercedes Maybach divisions

After customers configure their dream vehicle at the Center of Excellence, individual components are meticulously crafted by hand at MANUFAKTUR. In the new MANUFAKTUR Studio, customers can experience firsthand how the vehicle is customized according to their individual wishes. Both locations combine craftsmanship, attention to detail, and state-of-the-art production technologies to make individual vehicle dreams or custom concepts a reality. At the same time, Mercedes-Benz is introducing innovative high-tech manufacturing methods and extensively expanding customization options.

MANUFAKTUR: skillful hands are the most valuable tools

The MANUFAKTUR team, composed of experienced and extensively trained specialists, demonstrates their dedication to the craft through the outstanding quality of their work. Skilled hands are the most valuable tools here. Whether cladding leather, cutting, embroidering, or sewing, all interiors are finished with exquisite craftsmanship and utmost precision. The team excels in producing both small, intricate details and larger components, such as a leather headliner sewn together from many individual pieces.

Digitalizing individual work steps accelerates MANUFAKTUR processes and significantly contributes to quality assurance. Artificial intelligence optimizes these steps by quickly and reliably detecting small irregularities in leather hides, thereby reducing the workload on employees.

The MANUFAKTUR Studio: individualization independent of series production

The innovative matrix production in the MANUFAKTUR Studio allows for the variable individualization of up to 20 vehicles per day, regardless of the model series. The production structure has been completely reorganized to be highly flexible. Driverless transport systems (autonomous guided vehicles, or AGVs) move customer vehicles between individual production clusters as needed, independently of fixed sequences. Each of the nine clusters in the MANUFAKTUR Studio can be accessed flexibly by the AGVs and operates independently of cycle times, enabling effective installation of custom equipment.

This process is supported by the digital twin, which monitors and optimizes every stage of production. Last-minute changes are also possible. All production stations are networked via MO360, the in-house digital ecosystem for production, allowing every employee to access production data in real time via the MO360 data platform.

PixelPaint – an innovative high-resolution painting process for exclusive customer solutions

The innovative and resource-saving PixelPaint process revolutionizes the wide-ranging options for multi-colored vehicle paint jobs. Inspired by the function of an inkjet printer, this new technology applies high-quality paint directly onto the body of the vehicle with incredible precision. This allows for the application of custom patterns with the highest level of accuracy – ideal for individually designed dream vehicles. Customers can request bespoke design elements according to their ideas, which are limited only by technical feasibility.

Growing range for select top-end vehicles from the Mercedes-Benz Group

The MANUFAKTUR individualization and customization program consists of a growing range of equipment for select Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-AMG and Mercedes-Maybach models. The MANUFAKTUR portfolio comprises an exclusive selection of materials, colors and finishes that go beyond standard options and create a highly individual experience. The focus here is on expanding the individualization options for customers in the top-end segment.

The S-Class will be available in the future with even more MANUFAKTUR Exclusive colors and further MANUFAKTUR options. As the Mercedes-Benz flagship, the S-Class exemplifies the extensive customization options of the MANUFAKTUR program. A similar expansion is also planned for select Mercedes-AMG and Mercedes-Maybach models.