Mercedes to expand U.S. production of SUVs, commercial vans
Mercedes-Benz is expanding its U.S. manufacturing footprint, with plans to add one of its most popular models, the GLC compact crossover utility vehicle, to its Alabama plant by 2027.
Why it matters: The news comes after the Trump administration boosted tariffs on imported vehicles to pressure global automakers to build more cars in the U.S.
Mercedes' decision underscores the importance of Alabama in the automaker's global production network, the company said.
Driving the news: Mercedes did not say how much it would invest in the plant, or whether any jobs would be created, but said it could add GLC production without an expansion.
GLC output will be primarily for the North American market.
Mercedes sold more than 64,000 GLC crossovers last year in the U.S.
The intrigue: The Alabama investment will occur along with an expansion at Mercedes' Sprinter van assembly plant in Charleston, S.C., which CEO Ola Källenius described as a "significant investment in a whole new class" of light commercial vans.
What they're saying: Mercedes employs about 11,000 U.S. workers, and with suppliers, that number is over 150,000.
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