The B-Class Electric Drive is manufactured on the same production line in the Rastatt plant as the models with combustion engine. The B-Class Natural Gas Drive is produced as part of a coordinated production system with the Mannheim plant.

Thus for the first time, at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Rastatt, models with combustion engine and electric drive are being built on one and the same line. The production processes for the B-Class Electric Drive – specifically the stations where the battery and electric motor components plus the necessary wiring are fitted – could be integrated into the existing series-model production flow without changing the cycle time. All the workers assigned to these new stations received special training in which they were deeply familiarised with the handling of high-voltage technology under production conditions.

The B-Class Natural Gas Drive is produced as part of a coordinated production system between the competence centre for emission-free mobility at the Mannheim plant and the Rastatt plant. The gas system with petrol tank, exhaust system, heat shields and all the relevant electric systems, is produced at the Mannheim plant and supplied as a complete module to Rastatt. Production of the bodyshell, including complete assembly of the B 200 Natural Gas Drive, takes place at the Rastatt plant. Separation of the production processes in this way ensures that responsibility for the natural gas-related elements rests completely with the competence centre for emission-free mobility at the Mannheim plant. The Rastatt plant remains responsible for all petrol engine-related aspects. The final, coordinated handover of the B 200 Natural Gas Drive to the Sales and Marketing division in readiness for delivery to the customer takes place at the Mannheim plant.

The Mercedes-Benz Rastatt plant has a workforce of around 6600 and is the largest private employer in the region. Rastatt is the centre of excellence for compact car production within the global Mercedes-Benz production network. The A-Class, B-Class and the compact SUV GLA are manufactured here. The plant in Kecskemét, Hungary, also belongs to the compact car production network. Some 3400 employees there build the B-Class, which is also produced at the Rastatt plant, as well as the four-door CLA Coupé.