March 31 (Reuters) - German automaker Mercedes-Benz said on Tuesday it will invest $4 billion at its Alabama plant through 2030 to boost SUV production as it seeks to address significant U.S. auto
German automaker Mercedes-Benz to invest $4 billion in Alabama SUV plant
Mercedes-Benz Expands U.S. Operations Amid Tariff Pressures
By David Shepardson
Major Investment in Alabama Plant
March 31 (Reuters) - German automaker Mercedes-Benz said on Tuesday it will invest $4 billion at its Alabama plant through 2030 to boost SUV production as it seeks to address significant U.S. auto tariffs.
Overall U.S. Investment Strategy
In total, luxury automaker Mercedes-Benz said it plans to invest more than $7 billion in U.S. operations in the coming years. The company is moving up to 500 jobs from various locations across the country into a new, state-of-the-art research and development hub in Atlanta.
Tariffs and Their Impact on Automakers
Automakers face steep tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on imported vehicles and parts.
Production Shift to Alabama
Mercedes-Benz said last year it would shift production of its GLC SUV from Germany to Tuscaloosa, Alabama. In February, Mercedes said group operating profit more than halved to 5.8 billion euros ($6.9 billion) in part due to 1 billion euros in tariff costs.
U.S. Sales Performance
Mercedes said U.S. passenger car sales rose by 1% to 303,000 last year.
Executive Commentary on Strategic Moves
Jason Hoff, Mercedes North America CEO, in a recent interview with Reuters, said the planned move of the GLC is in part because of tariffs.
Business Rationale for Localized Production
Having localized production for the biggest volume products "just makes good business sense," said Hoff, citing the influence of tariffs.
(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Chris Reese and Keith Weir)
