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Daimler to Produce Additional Model at the Mercedes-Benz Tuscaloosa Plant (USA)
Oct 21, 2011
- Expansion of production portfolio as of 2015
- US$350 million investment, 400 new jobs
- Dr. Dieter Zetsche: "This new model is an important element of our growth strategy."
Daimler will further expand its U.S. plant in Tuscaloosa, Alabama: as of 2015, an entirely new Mercedes-Benz model will roll off the production line as its fifth product. The plant has been the
traditional production site of the brand's M-, GL-, and R-Class SUVs and will also build the C-Class for the North American market beginning 2014. For the production of the new model, Daimler will additionally
invest US$ 350 million, and will create some 400 further jobs at the plant.
Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Daimler Board of Management and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars: "This new model from the Tuscaloosa plant is an important element of our growth strategy. It is one of the
ten additional models which we will introduce within the next four years alone across all segments." Referring to the Tuscaloosa plant's role within the global production network of Mercedes-Benz Cars, Zetsche
added: "At the same time, we are systematically broadening our manufacturing footprint in the NAFTA region."
Robert Bentley, Governor of the State of Alabama: "Since the time Mercedes-Benz chose Tuscaloosa County for its first US assembly plant 18 years ago, the company has proven to be an outstanding
partner for the state. We join MBUSI in celebrating this milestone, and welcome the hundreds of jobs this announcement brings to Alabama."
Just earlier this year, on the occasion of the Job #1 ceremony of the new Mercedes-Benz M-Class in July, Daimler had announced the decision to invest more than US$2 billion in the Tuscaloosa plant
(Mercedes-Benz U.S. International – MBUSI). In total, investment in the plant between 2010 and 2014 will thus amount to US$2.4 billion, while the number of newly created jobs will add up to 1,400.
Markus Schaefer, President and CEO of MBUSI, commented on these decisions: "The entire MBUSI team is proud of its role in the success of the models made in Tuscaloosa. We are looking forward to making
further important contributions to the product offensive of Mercedes-Benz."
Daimler AG Invests more than 2 Billion USD into the Mercedes-Benz U.S. Plant in Tuscaloosa, Alabama – Jul 21, 2011
- Investments for the production of current and future model lines and capacity expansions
- First all-new M-Class customer vehicle produced
- Dr. Dieter Zetsche: "We're continuing to write new chapters of the Tuscaloosa plant's success story with significant investments into the future."
On the occasion of the production of the first new Mercedes-Benz M-Class customer vehicle at the Mercedes-Benz Tuscaloosa plant (Mercedes-Benz U.S. International - MBUSI), Daimler AG announced
significant investments for its North American passenger cars plant. A total amount of more than 2 billion US dollars is invested for the production of the new M-Class, the successor generations of the GL-Class and
the C-Class, and the expansion of production capacities.
Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Daimler Board of Management and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars: "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." In a special address to the entire MBUSI team, Zetsche highlighted their contributions: "A big thank you to the team that helped us get that far – all
of you."
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 attending the ceremony with Dr. Dieter Zetsche were Dr. Wolfgang Bernhard, board member Production and Procurement Mercedes-Benz Cars and Mercedes-Benz
Vans, Dr. Thomas Weber, board member Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars development, and Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing, Mercedes-Benz Cars.
Referring to the production
launch of the new M-Class, Schaefer said: "Demand for the M-Class in our 14 years of production has clearly surpassed all our expectations – in terms of sales, customer loyalty, and popularity. And customers will
soon recognize that our all-new M-Class is again setting new benchmarks in the SUV segment – in terms of efficiency, safety, agility, driving enjoyment and design."
Schaefer also pointed out the value of the
outstanding community relations which MBUSI enjoys: "Today, we also celebrate the successful cooperation we have had with the State of Alabama and local governments since we first announced our decision to come to
Alabama. We truly appreciate this leadership. "
Looking back at the disaster of the tornados that hit the South of the U.S. and especially the City of Tuscaloosa on April 27, 2011, Schaefer also announced
that MBUSI will donate an additional 100,000 US dollars to Alabama tornado relief and recovery efforts. On May 05, Daimler and MBUSI had committed a cash donation of 1 million US dollars to a number of charities in
West and Central Alabama to support emergency and reconstruction projects and to help the Alabama community begin on this path to recovery.
Mercedes-Benz USA Delivers First Customer Zero-Emission F-CELL Vehicle
The first new Mercedes-Benz F-CELL hydrogen-powered B-Class vehicles are now available to
California residents, making emission-free driving a reality. Mr. Vance Van Petten took the keys to the very first Mercedes-Benz B-Class F-CELL vehicle available to U.S. customers during an official hand-over at the
newly renovated dealership of Fletcher Jones Mercedes-Benz in Newport Beach.
Mr. Van Petten, Executive Director of the Producers Guild of America, said, "As a long-time environmental advocate and supporter of
sustainable production and eco-friendly transport, I'm thrilled to be driving a vehicle that I believe represents the future of environmentally thoughtful transportation — not only does it have zero emissions, but
it also provides me with all of the safety technology one expects from Mercedes-Benz."
Mr. Van Petten is part of a select group of people who are participating in a Mercedes-Benz lease program for the B-Class
F-CELL Hydrogen car. As part of an initiative to further develop F-CELL vehicles and gain real-world experience in the United States, these vehicles will also be used to provide driving data to the Department of
Energy (DOE) to support their Hydrogen to the Highways program. Due to the restricted number of Hydrogen fueling stations, Mercedes-Benz sought prospects for the F-CELL lease through its own survey and vetting
process to determine who among the many applicants would become among the first to lease the F-CELL hydrogen vehicles. Those interested in leasing an F-CELL can CLICK HERE to get additional information and apply.
Powered by an electric motor with
134 horsepower and 215 lb-ft of torque, the new B-Class F-CELL provides driving performance comparable to a similar conventional car while using about half the fuel. The car utilizes a fuel cell stack for generating
electricity and a lithium ion battery for energy storage. Taking only approximately three minutes to refuel, The B-Class F-CELL emits only water as a by-product of the fuel cell system.
"The introduction of
the F-CELL in California marks the beginning of zero emission Fuel Cell technology in the US for Mercedes-Benz," said Sascha Simon, head of advanced product planning at Mercedes-Benz USA. "With a range of 240 miles
that never needs to be plugged and more than 15 years of Mercedes-Benz research already committed to the technology, we believe this is a great addition to our fast growing portfolio of alternative fuel vehicles
that customers can choose from to best suit their lifestyle."
The F-Cell made an appearance this summer at the US Open Tennis Championships where Mercedes-Benz is the official vehicle. It played its part
within the overall green fleet for VIP and player transportation, which also included Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid sedans. Alec Baldwin, this past tournament's USTA green ambassador arrived at the tournament's Opening
Ceremony in the F-CELL.
Californians are no strangers to Mercedes-Benz eco-friendly vehicles including Hollywood's elite. Individuals such as Demi Moore, Gerard Butler, Simon Baker, Toby Maguire and Katharine
McPhee among others are choosing Mercedes-Benz because it offers safety and technology with solid environmental credentials without sacrificing luxury. These vehicles range from the S400 HYBRID luxury sedan to the
ML450 HYBRID mid-size SUV. Also popular are the clean diesel BlueTEC sedans and SUVs like the E350 BlueTEC and the R, ML and GL350 BlueTEC.
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