First “made in France” Mercedes eCitaro rolls off production lines in Ligny-en-Barrois

Daimler Truck has achieved a significant milestone with the first Mercedes eCitaro electric bus rolling off the production lines at their plant in Ligny-en-Barrois, France, as the OEM stated on Linkedin.

As part of a broader strategy, Daimler Truck is investing approximately 50 million euros by 2030 to enhance the Ligny-en-Barrois plant’s capacity to produce electric buses. This substantial investment will also lead to the creation of 250 additional jobs.

Daimler Truck producing e-buses in France

In addition to the production of electric buses, according to information available so far, the Ligny-en-Barrois plant will continue to produce diesel buses, although the primary focus will remain on the Citaro series. This move is part of a broader agreement between Daimler Buses and the general works council, aimed at ensuring long-term competitiveness and the future of German sites.

The Mannheim plant in Germany will become the center of competence for electric city buses, focusing exclusively on the production of electrically powered city buses starting in 2024. Meanwhile, the Ligny-en-Barrois plant will produce electric buses, including trolleybuses, and the Neu-Ulm plant will manufacture electric intercity buses and buses with battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell drive systems.

By 2028, the complete bus bodyshell construction for the Ligny-en-Barrois, Mannheim, and Neu-Ulm plants will be carried out at the Holýšov site in the Czech Republic, further streamlining production processes across Europe.