Mercedes’ decision to relocate production of the e-Sprinter model to Poland is one of the most talked-about moves in the European automotive industry in recent months. For Poland, this means not only new jobs, but above all a strengthening of its position as an attractive location for global industrial investment.
Why did Mercedes decide to move production to Poland?
The main reason is cost. According to the German Ministry of Economy, labour costs in Germany are currently five times higher than in Poland. This means that more and more companies in the automotive sector are looking for more competitive locations.
The choice fell on Jawor, where Mercedes already has a modern factory producing engines and batteries for hybrid cars. The expansion of this plant will enable the launch of production of the e-Sprinter – a fully electric delivery van that is set to play a key role in the company’s strategy.
Scale of investment and new jobs
Mercedes has announced that it will invest over PLN 1.5 billion in the expansion of its factory in Jawor. By the end of 2027, at least 300 new jobs will be created there, including 30 for highly qualified specialists.
The new production line is scheduled to start in 2026, and the factory in Jawor will gain the status of one of the pillars of European electromobility. For the region, this means infrastructure development, stable employment and an increase in the importance of Lower Silesia on the economic map of Europe.
Reactions in Germany and benefits for Poland
Although the Brandenburg authorities and German trade unions strongly oppose Mercedes’ decision, Poland stands to gain twice over. Firstly, it is benefiting from the restructuring processes in Western Europe. Secondly, it is building its brand as a country capable of attracting the world’s largest corporations.
The protests in Germany show how difficult the process of global change in the automotive industry is. At the same time, they prove that the transfer of production to Poland is part of a deeper trend – the shift of industry towards more competitive locations.
Poland as the new capital of electromobility
Mercedes is no exception. More and more automotive companies are investing in Poland:
- Volkswagen is expanding its plants in Poznań and Września,
- Stellantis has launched production of new hybrid and electric models in Tychy,
- LG Energy Solution is investing billions of dollars in a battery factory near Wrocław.
All these projects show that Poland is becoming one of the main centres of electromobility in Europe.
The transfer of production to Poland is therefore not just a single case, but part of a long-term process.
Poland – more than just cheap labour
Mercedes’ decision shows that moving production to Poland is not only about reducing costs, but above all about access to an entire ecosystem conducive to business development. Poland offers not only qualified engineers and technicians, but also a dynamically developing research and development base, cooperating with global corporations.
Its location in the centre of Europe makes it easy to manage logistics on a continental scale from Poland, and the stable political and economic environment gives investors a sense of security in the long term. Added to this is support from EU and government programmes, which significantly reduce the costs of implementing new technologies and expanding facilities.
As a result, Poland appears to be a country that not only ‘attracts’ investment, but also actively contributes to the future of European electromobility. It is this combination of cost competitiveness and innovative potential that makes it a place that investors are increasingly choosing for their key projects.
Mercedes’ decision is not just about relocating production – it is a clear signal that Poland is becoming increasingly important in the European industrial landscape. Jawor shows that projects are being developed here that, just a few years ago, were reserved exclusively for Germany or France.
For investors, this is an opportunity to enter a market that is currently experiencing a turning point. Those who bet on Poland now have the chance to be at the very centre of the automotive transformation in Europe – and reap real benefits from it.
