Daimler to Invest Over $2 Billion in Mercedes-Benz Tuscaloosa Facilities

Daimler AG. announced significant investments for its North American passenger cars facility, concerning the upcoming production of the first new Mercedes-Benz M-Klasse SUV at the manufacturer’s Tuscalosabased facility (Mercedes-Benz U.S. International - MBUSI). A total amount of more than $2 billion is being invested for the production of the new M-Klasse, the successor generations of the GL-Klasse, the C-Klasse and also the expansion of production capacities.

"We're continuing to write new chapters of the plant's success story with significant investments into the future. Tuscaloosa was the first production location of Mercedes-Benz Cars ever outside Germany, and today it is among our best. As our 'pioneering plant,' it is also the blueprint for our new operations in emerging markets," Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Daimler Board of Management and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars said.

With this occasion MBUSI hosted a special new M-Class "Job 1" Celebration on July 20th in which Markus Schaefer, President and CEO of MBUSI, welcomed the 2,800 MBUSI team members, as well as guests including Alabama Governor Robert Bentley and Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox

Also Worth mentioning is that the demand for M-Klasse in 14 years of production has clearly surpassed any expectations in terms of sales,customer loyalty and popularity. The manufacturer hopes that the new M-Klasse will again set the benchmarks in the SUV segment, in terms of efficiency, safety, agility, driving enjoyment and design. On the other hand, looking back at the disaster that was caused by the tornados that hit the South of the U.S. and especially the city of Tuscloosa, Markus Schaefer MBUSI President and CEO announced that the company will donate an additional $100,000 to Alabama tornado relief and recovery efforts.