Magna Expands Partnership with Mercedes-Benz

Posted on 12 February 2025 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Magna Expands Partnership with Mercedes-Benz

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Magna said this week that it is expanding its work with Mercedes-Benz.* Heretofore the relationship has spanned multiple areas of the vehicle, including powertrain and drivetrain systems, ADAS technologies, body and chassis components, electrification, interior systems, and vehicle assembly.

“Strong partnerships with our customers are essential for driving innovation and advancing the automotive industry,” said Eric Wilds, Magna Chief Strategy & Commercial Officer. “Our continued partnership with Mercedes-Benz exemplifies how working together can lead to groundbreaking solutions and mutual success.”

The mutually beneficial relation has made more than 500,000  G-class off-road vehicles at Magna’s Graz, Austria plant since 1979.

In 2024, Magna began production of the eDS Duo, an eDrive system with exceptional traction properties, at its Lannach, Austria facility, marking a new chapter in the partnership. The all-new electric model of the iconic off-roader is now equipped with this advanced electric drive system for leading performance and efficiency.

“Having supplied three generations of transfer cases for Mercedes-Benz’s iconic off-roader, Magna is honored to now equip this legendary vehicle with its first generation of electric units,” said Diba Ilunga, President of Magna Powertrain. “The eDS Duo demonstrates Magna’s flexible approach to delivering powertrain solutions, transitioning seamlessly from internal combustion engines to battery electric vehicles.”

A 2-speed, dual e-motor drive covering a power range of up to 240 kW, the eDS Duo offers what’s claimed to be leading traction and off-road capabilities, including a unique wheel-individual propulsion system that enables such things as the “G-Turn,” allowing the vehicle to rotate 360 degrees in place. “With optimized efficiency and advanced silicon carbide and decoupling technology, the eDS Duo delivers exceptional performance while maintaining high efficiency,” Magna said.

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About Ken Zino

Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
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