- Daimler on Friday said a new Mercedes-Benz model will be built at its factory in Tuscaloosa, Alabama starting in 2015.
- It did not provide details about the additional vehicle, but Automotive News Europe says the model is a coupelike version of the M-Class SUV that targets the BMW X6.
- Daimler says it will invest another $350 million in the plant and create 400 jobs.
STUTTGART, Germany — Daimler on Friday said a new Mercedes-Benz model will be built at its factory in Tuscaloosa, Alabama starting in 2015.
It did not provide details about the additional vehicle, but Automotive News Europe says the model is a coupelike version of the M-Class SUV that targets the BMW X6.
Daimler says it will invest another $350 million in the plant and create 400 jobs to produce the new model.
In July, the automaker said it was investing $2 billion in Tuscaloosa to upgrade and expand its U.S. assembly plant here, in preparation for the launch of the redesigned C-Class sedan in 2014.
A portion of the investment also was spent to launch the redesigned 2012 M-Class utility vehicle, which rolled off the line here in mid-July. The Tuscaloosa plant, which opened in 1997, also builds the GL-Class and R-Class utility vehicles.
"Daimler will further expand its U.S. plant in Tuscaloosa, Alabama: as of 2015, an entirely new Mercedes-Benz model will roll off the production line as its fifth product," the automaker said in a statement posted on its Web site.
"This new model from the Tuscaloosa plant is an important element of our growth strategy," said Dieter Zetsche, Daimler CEO. "It is now one of the 10 additional models which we will introduce within the next four years alone across all segments."
Inside Line says: Mercedes-Benz continues to flesh out its product line, while benefiting the U.S. economy and workforce at the same time with investments in Alabama totaling nearly $2.4 billion.
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cr_driver says:
09:42 PM, 10/21/2011
Mercedesfan
Yep, I knew it was a big hit in China and Russia, and BMW is quite happy.
That is why I asked you to provide links to back up your claim that it was a sales flop.
So it seems in the US it actually is, thou I still missed the links. Cool anyway.
openeyes1 says:
05:41 PM, 10/21/2011
Once again Mercedes comes out with yet another SUV that will top the list as "Biggest gas guzzler in its class", of course those who buy it could care less if it pushes our country further into debt. The potential market for this vehicle, are any Americans who view wasting oil as a selfishly motivated right, regardless on how it drives up the cost of gas for everyone.
alex38 says:
04:45 PM, 10/21/2011
Geez, MB going after BMW's X6 sales? Not only are the 5-series GT and X6 two of the worst looking BMW vehicles ever produced (and this from a BMW fan), these 2 cars are among the worst looking vehicles by ANY manufacturer today, in my opinion... Just awful looking vehicles
mercedesfan says:
04:31 PM, 10/21/2011
@cr_driver,
The sales have been a flop in the US. Worldwide it has actually done pretty well (mostly in Asia). BMW initially planned to produce 40,000/year with roughly 20K of those being sold in the US. So far BMW has sold 3,800 X6's in the US this year (which is actually an improvement compared to last year).
festus67 says:
03:33 PM, 10/21/2011
Whatever...
danwilson1 says:
02:38 PM, 10/21/2011
Increasing your product portfolio in todays market is the key to success. A luxury brand needs to innovate and present new products, no matter how obscure they might be, in order to attract new customers.
In the early '90s most luxury brands had an entry/midrange and high-end sedan and perhaps an SUV and a coupe/convertible. These days this setup doesn't work anymore. The competition has increased and new and unique models are simply the way to survive as a company.
Also, the term 'class leader' is pretty stupid in my opinion because bias determines who the "class leader" is. In the case of the BMW 3er, its dynamic prowess makes it the "class leader" according to magazines like Car and Driver despite most people not caring about driving dynamics at all (they want the badge). The 3er is a good car, but its comfort qualities are awful, it's cramped inside and it isn't as well balanced overall as other cars in its class (bar handling/dynamics).
albook says:
01:20 PM, 10/21/2011
10 new models? MB needs to not follow the path of BMW and overcrowd their portfolio. It's a move that has already started hurting BMW in sales (see 5 series GT, X6).
cr_driver says:
01:18 PM, 10/21/2011
Mercedesfan
Are you sure the X6 has been a sales disappointment? How so? Got links?
Are you talking USA only? Worldwide?
Let us know.
wcypher says:
12:36 PM, 10/21/2011
Just what the world needs: another overpriced "crossover".
It's funny, I've gotten older and richer and am probably Mercedes' target demographic. And yet I still don't want one of their cars because then I'd be that d'bag in the Mercedes. To me, Mercedes (along with Porsche, BMW, and Audi to some extent) will always represent nouveau riche-ness, no matter how nice their cars are.
lotusshell says:
11:23 AM, 10/21/2011
mercedes is going to run into issues down the road I think. They have too many cars in their line-up. Especially since they are no longer the best selling luxury car maker, I think a better decision would be to scale back a bit and focus on building class leading cars.
Manufacturer's these days are too cought up in demographic profiles. There doesn't need to be a vehicle for every single different type of person / lifestyle. Build better, not more.