Mercedes-Benz is set to localize a core segment vehicle in Tuscaloosa, Ala., deepening its U.S. footprint and underscoring Alabama’s role as an important part of the company’s global production network. For many years, Mercedes-Benz has exported roughly two-thirds of annual output, making it one of the largest exporters of automobiles from the U.S., contributing to the U.S. trade balance.

“Tuscaloosa has been a key hub for Mercedes-Benz vehicles for almost 30 years,” Ola Källenius, chairman of the board of management. “It’s a natural step to bring a further model to Alabama as part of a strategy to deepen our commitment to the United States, a market, which has been our home for more than a century.”

The localization of a core segment vehicle follows a pattern of enhancing the Alabama site over the past 30 years. Since 1997, more than 4.5 million vehicles have left the Tuscaloosa plant, with around 260,000 vehicles rolling off the line in 2024 alone. The Tuscaloosa plant is home to the GLE, GLS, GLE Coupe, and Mercedes-Maybach GLS as well as the EQE SUV, EQS SUV, and Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV for all global markets.

Bringing a core segment vehicle to Alabama by 2027 further enhances the company’s commitment to the North American market while keeping its local-for-local approach.

“We are getting even closer to the U.S. customer by localizing a core segment model in Tuscaloosa, strengthening our ties to the North American market where a range of Mercedes-Benz vehicles including the GLE and GLS models have their roots.”
Jason Hoff, CEO Mercedes-Benz North America

Today, Mercedes-Benz U.S. International (MBUSI) employs more than 6,000 people and secures an estimated additional 60,000¹ jobs with suppliers and service providers in the region, including 200 suppliers located in Alabama.