Mercedes-AMG Planning Software Development Center

Mercedes-Benz’s AMG performance-car division plans to create its own standalone software development center at its Affalterbach headquarters on the outskirts of Stuttgart in Germany, the company’s new CEO Michael Schiebe reveals.

In an interview with Wards, Schiebe says AMG is aiming to go one step beyond the new MB-OS (Mercedes-Benz Operating System) being developed by its parent company Mercedes-Benz with its own add-on software package to be used exclusively by its future lineup of performance models.

“We’re looking to establish the perfect symbiosis between hardware and software development. Future AMG models will use software based on the MB.OS. But we will enhance it with our own special DNA,” he says.

Schiebe singles out the upcoming models to be based on the company’s new AMG.EA electric-vehicle platform to be among those to benefit from the new software.

It will operate in combination with other unique hardware components, he says, including batteries using technology developed by its sister company Mercedes-Benz High Performance Powertrains and axial flux electric motors from Yasa, a U.K.-based electric motor company acquired by Mercedes-Benz in 2021.

“The aim is to ensure our future electric models retain traditional AMG qualities,” he says. 

The new software development center is planned to be based close to the existing hardware-development division at AMG’s existing Affalterbach facility.

“We’ve already chosen the site,” Schiebe says. He doesn’t say how many software experts the new center will employ. 

“I want the best in the business,” says the 39-year-old German, adding: “We’re at an early stage, but AMG will offer an attractive package with hybrid work conditions, flexible working hours, gym membership and other enticements.

“I’m under no illusions. We need to convince software experts to choose Affalterbach over places like Berlin. We will do that by offering the best conditions we possibly can.”

Mercedes-Benz already operates a software development center at its Sindelfingen manufacturing base near Stuttgart in Germany. Established in 2022 at a cost of €200 million ($225 million) it employs 1,000 workers. Another 2,000 software experts are employed in Mercedes-Benz’s global R&D network, according to the German automaker.