Photo: Mercedes-Benz
After a myriad of concepts and promises, traditional carmakers are slowly but surely beginning to put their money where their moths have been for a few years.
Two of the most active of them seem to be Daimler and the Volkswagen Group. The latter of the two is driven by the need to wash away the stains it got following the Dieselgate scandal - the biggest one to shake the industry in a while as it managed to dwarf the contemporary Takata incident. Which explains the announcement of an $84 billion EV investment spread out over the next years.
Daimler, on the other hand, it just wants to do what it takes to remain at the top. Having overtaken BMW in the premium carmakers chart to reach the top, the Stuttgart-based company doesn't want to make a false step. And since it appears like the market is shifting toward zero-emission vehicles with all it's got, Daimler - through its Mercedes-Benz brand - is looking to follow.
Actually, it would like to lead, but there's still a long way to go until then. However, a $1 billion investment in its Tuscaloosa, Alabama plant is a good way to start things, even though it's still a few bucks off what Tesla put into its Gigafactory.
Like the mega-structure near Reno, Nevada, the upgrade to the existing Mercedes-Benz plant is designed to boost battery production as well as assemble the EQC electric SUV - the first production model of the newly created EQ range.
Mercedes-Benz's timeline sees four new all-electric models launched over a three-year period, with the first coming in 2019. By 2022, the company says it will electrify the entire range, offering at least one electric option in every segment.
The Tuscaloosa plant is currently building Mercedes-Benz's regular SUVs: the GLE, GLE Coupe, and GLS. “With the addition of electric SUVs to our future fleet, we will provide discerning drivers with a new, high quality automotive option that will marry performance, luxury, and environmental stewardship,” Markus Schäfer, Member of the Divisional Board of Mercedes-Benz Cars, Production and Supply Chain said. “As a result of our investments in Alabama, Mercedes-Benz customers will soon be able to enjoy advanced technology coupled with a luxury driving experience.”
Daimler, on the other hand, it just wants to do what it takes to remain at the top. Having overtaken BMW in the premium carmakers chart to reach the top, the Stuttgart-based company doesn't want to make a false step. And since it appears like the market is shifting toward zero-emission vehicles with all it's got, Daimler - through its Mercedes-Benz brand - is looking to follow.
Actually, it would like to lead, but there's still a long way to go until then. However, a $1 billion investment in its Tuscaloosa, Alabama plant is a good way to start things, even though it's still a few bucks off what Tesla put into its Gigafactory.
Like the mega-structure near Reno, Nevada, the upgrade to the existing Mercedes-Benz plant is designed to boost battery production as well as assemble the EQC electric SUV - the first production model of the newly created EQ range.
Mercedes-Benz's timeline sees four new all-electric models launched over a three-year period, with the first coming in 2019. By 2022, the company says it will electrify the entire range, offering at least one electric option in every segment.
The Tuscaloosa plant is currently building Mercedes-Benz's regular SUVs: the GLE, GLE Coupe, and GLS. “With the addition of electric SUVs to our future fleet, we will provide discerning drivers with a new, high quality automotive option that will marry performance, luxury, and environmental stewardship,” Markus Schäfer, Member of the Divisional Board of Mercedes-Benz Cars, Production and Supply Chain said. “As a result of our investments in Alabama, Mercedes-Benz customers will soon be able to enjoy advanced technology coupled with a luxury driving experience.”
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