Daimler to Invest $1 Billion in Alabama Plant
21 September 2017 - 7:39PM
Dow Jones News
By Chester Dawson
TUSCALOOSA, Ala.-- Daimler AG plans to invest $1 billion in its
Alabama manufacturing operations and start production of a fully
electric sport-utility vehicle, a move that comes as the German
auto maker expands its U.S. footprint and global electrification
drive.
The company will begin production of an electric SUV early next
decade at its Tuscaloosa plant and begin construction next year of
a nearby facility to assemble battery systems for use in those and
other vehicles, according to people familiar with its plans.
Combined, the new plans are expected to add as many as 600 new
jobs, these people said.
The new SUV will be sold under the Mercedes-Benz EQ subbrand,
according to the people with knowledge of the plans.
Daimler's expansion in the U.S. is part of a global push into
electric vehicles and follows its announcement in July to build a
similar battery assembly facility in China. The company plans to
offer more than 50 fully or partly electric vehicles, and by 2022
electrify its entire Mercedes brand lineup.
The investment comes on top of the $5.8 billion Daimler already
has invested on its Tuscaloosa operations, which began production
in 1997. Last year, the plant produced more than 310,000 Mercedes
vehicles, including mid- and large-size SUVs as well as entry-level
C-Class sedans.
Write to Chester Dawson at chester.dawson@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
September 21, 2017 05:24 ET (09:24 GMT)
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