Overview
- At the Vance, Alabama plant Tuesday, Mercedes confirmed a $4 billion investment through 2030 during an event that also marked the site’s five-millionth vehicle and the premieres of updated GLE and GLS SUVs.
- The Alabama funding sits within a U.S. program topping $7 billion that aims to lift SUV output and add locally built, high-volume models.
- Executives point to U.S. auto tariffs as a key driver for localization, with the GLC slated to shift from Germany to Alabama in the coming years.
- Up to 500 roles will move into a new research and development hub near Atlanta to concentrate engineering work and tap the local tech base.
- Mercedes is targeting about 400,000 U.S. retail sales by 2030, while its U.S. chief says 2026 has started with tougher demand and higher borrowing costs.