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.
(Marketwatch)
