Mercedes is banking on the success of electric vehicles by announcing plans to invest a $1 billion into its plant in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
The investment will pave the way for the plant to produce a series of EQ-branded crossovers with an electric powertrain. Mercedes declined to say which models will be built at the plant but confirmed the first vehicle will roll off the assembly line at the “beginning of the next decade.” The company went on to say all future EQ crossovers will come equipped with the latest automated driving technology.
In order to support electric crossover production, Mercedes will build a new battery plant near the Tuscaloosa facility. Construction is slated to begin next year and the plant will span one million square feet. It will also help to create approximately 600 new jobs.
The plant currently produces the GLE, GLE Coupe, and GLS. It is already gearing up to build the next-generation of these vehicles and Mercedes says to expect new plug-in hybrid variants. This isn’t too surprising as the company has previously announced plans to offer electrified versions of all models by 2022.
Photo Gallery
