Vance, Alabama – Mercedes-Benz officials yesterday announced plans to invest $4 billion at its Tuscaloosa County plant by 2030. The company made the announcement during a ceremonial unveiling of the latest versions of the GLE and GLS SUVs, as well as the 5 millionth vehicle made in Vance.
Mercedes selected Alabama for its first U.S. plant in 1993. Today, the Mercedes-Benz U.S. International (MBUSI) operation employs about 5,800 people and represents an investment of more than $7 billion. The plant regularly exports about 60% of its annual output, sending Alabama-made luxury vehicles to markets around the world.
“These vehicles don’t just carry the Mercedes star. They carry the passion, precision and pride of an entire region,” said Ola Kaellenius, Mercedes-Benz CEO and Chairman of the Board of Management. “This state and the spirit of its people have always been an inspiration to us.” Kaellenius is a former head of MBUSI and was also part of the original team at the Alabama plant in the 1990s.
Since Mercedes set up shop in the early 90s, Honda, Hyundai and Mazda-Toyota have built vehicle assembly plants in Alabama. The state’s automotive assembly lines now build more than 1 million vehicles per year, putting Alabama among the top states for U.S. auto production.
Mercedes' production lineup in Alabama includes the GLE, GLS and GLE Coupe SUVS, along with AMG performance variants and the Mercedes-Maybach GLS. The plant also produces the all-electric EQE SUV, EQS SUV and Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV.
In addition, the GLC SUV is set to be built at the Tuscaloosa County assembly lines in the next few years.
In the body shop, the individual sheet metal parts, which were previously manufactured in the press shop, are assembled into a complete body-in-white.Mercedes-Benz U.S. International
Mercedes’ $4 billion investment in Alabama is part of a total U.S. investment of more than $7 billion. The automaker’s U.S. presence includes a van assembly operation in South Carolina with some 1,700 employees who assemble Sprinters and eSprinters for the North American market.
Mercedes-Benz Research & Development has locations in San Jose, Long Beach and Carlsbad, California, as well as a site in Ann Arbor, Michigan. In total, the company supports an estimated 160,000 jobs across the country, offering 10,600 direct jobs, of which around 7,500 are in assembly. Additionally, there are an estimated 107,000 jobs across Mercedes-Benz's business suppliers and service providers, and its dealer network comprises 386 valued partners, at which another 27,000 people are employed, according to the company.
The U.S. market plays a crucial role for the Mercedes-Benz Group. The market represented retail sales of 303,200 passenger cars and 40,000 vans last year.
IEN reached out to the Alabama Department of Commerce and Mercedes-Benz USA for additional investment details, but neither immediately responded to our request for comment.
