Magna To Build Mercedes-Benz SLS Bodies

GRAZ, Austria — Canadian-Austrian auto parts giant Magna, which recently won a bidding war to acquire Opel, said it will build aluminum bodies for the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG at its manufacturing facility here.

The company's Magna Steyr subsidiary will make a number of parts for the car, including the gullwing doors, hood and deck lid, and will supply much of the paintwork. Magna also will provide engineering support for the complete vehicle.

The Magna Steyr facility in Graz, formerly a part of Steyr-Daimler-Puch, has assembled the Mercedes-Benz Geländewagen for 30 years. It will also assemble the Aston Martin Rapide and, beginning in 2012, the Porsche Boxster and Cayman. In addition to the G-Class, Magna Steyr also has built such models as the BMW X3, the Saab 9-3 convertible, the Chrysler 300C and the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

The SLS goes into production next spring, priced from around $260,000.

Inside Line says: Magna's credentials as a supercar builder are growing rapidly. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent