Mercedes-Benz Celebrates 20 Years at Alabama Production Plant

Mercedes-Benz has always been a leader in the automotive industry, influencing the rise of technology-laden luxury vehicles around the world. Over the past two decades, the automaker’s worldly influence has largely come from the production plant located in Vance, Alabama. On February 14, the Tuscaloosa County plant celebrated 20 years of production from the first major manufacturing facility outside of Germany.

"Tuscaloosa was our first major production facility outside Germany and the nucleus of the automotive industry in Alabama. Meanwhile, the site has become an important part of our global production network," said Markus Schaefer, a member of the Divisional Board of Mercedes-Benz Cars, Production and Supply Chain Management. It’s no surprise that Mercedes-Benz ventured into uncharted territory by being the first to invest in Alabama, being followed by Honda, Hyundai, and Toyota in the years to follow.

The Vance plant produces the Mercedes-Benz GLE, GLS, and GLE Coupe SUV models for buyers around the world, as well as the C-Class sedan for consumers in North America. Since 1997, over 2.5 million vehicles have been created in Alabama, and the plant currently employs approximately 3,600 people.

This momentum isn’t stopping anytime soon. Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, Inc. plans to provide a $1.3 million plant expansion that will bring a new body shop and other resources to the Alabama location.

For more information on how Mercedes-Benz is revolutionizing the automotive industry directly from the heart of America, contact our team today. 

Image Credit: Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, Inc.​ via website