Related: Next-Gen Mercedes-Benz S-Class PHEV to Arrive in 2019
Daimler Adds $1B EV Investment to Alabama Plant
Daimler is investing $1 billion in its Tuscaloosa, Ala., assembly plant that will include a new battery plant and the creation of 600 jobs, the company announced.

Photo of MBUSI courtesy of Daimler.

Photo of MBUSI courtesy of Daimler.
Daimler is investing $1 billion in its Tuscaloosa, Ala., assembly plant that will include a new battery plant and the creation of 600 jobs, the company announced.
The investment will transform the plant's operational capabilities so it can produce electrified passenger cars and SUV models for the company's EQ brand, which will roll off the plant's assembly line after 2019. The first EQ vehicle will be known as the EQC.
Mercedes-Benz plans to offer electrified versions of its entire lineup by 2022, including models powered by 48-volt systems.
The company is still working out the final details of the plant upgrade with the state of Alabama.
In addition to the electrification initiative, the company will expand its logistics activities by building a Global Logistics Center and North American after-sales hub to export car kits to global assembly plants and spare parts from the U.S. and North America to worldwide markets.
The Alabama plant, which is known as MBUSI (Mercedes-Benz U.S. International), now builds the GLE, GLS and GLE Coupé. The company is planning to develop a range of plug-in hybrid SUV models.
Mercedes-Benz exports more than 70% of its SUVs to global markets. With an earlier investment of $1.3 billion announced in 2015, the plant is currently being expanded to prepare for the production of the next SUV generation that includes the hybrid models. The plant expansion includes a new body shop, major enhancements to the SUV assembly shop as well as upgraded logistics and IT systems.
More Operations

Fleet Has a Talent Pipeline Problem. What Comes Next? | AF News Recap
Where will fleet’s next generation of leaders come from? This week, we’re looking at the industry’s talent pipeline, what certification can add to a fleet career, how to build an award-worthy track record, and the return of Automotive Fleet’s Personal Use Survey.
Read More →
Smith System Launches Driver Risk Management Program
Fleets have more driver data than ever, but identifying risky behavior doesn't necessarily correct it. Smith System's new Driver Risk Management program combines monitoring, training, and follow-up coaching to help fleets connect risk signals with driver intervention.
Read More →
Automotive Fleet Opens 2026 Personal Use Survey for Commercial Fleet Managers
Less than two weeks left! Commercial and corporate fleet managers are invited to share how their organizations handle company vehicle personal-use policies, charges, and driver eligibility.
Read More →
From AI Prompts to AI-Generated Safety Songs | AF News Recap
Can better prompts make AI more useful for fleet managers? This week, we’re breaking down smarter fleet analysis, an AI-assisted experiment that turned safety training into music, and what happened to fuel prices in August.
Read More →
How to Write Better AI Prompts for Fleet Analysis
Include these six elements in your fleet prompts to generate more relevant analysis and accurate answers.
Read More →
Fleet Meets: Eric Kilgore
This edition of the Fleet Meets series features one of the industry's best leaders driving multi-market and national operations.
Read More →
Why Reactive Fleet Management Is Becoming Too Expensive to Sustain
Research highlights a growing need for proactive management strategies to address rising costs in fleet operations effectively.
Read More →
What Your Fleet KPIs Aren’t Telling You
Tracking fleet metrics is only useful when the data leads to better decisions. This guide helps fleet leaders assess cost, utilization, and downtime more accurately, identify performance gaps, and prioritize the actions that can improve operational results.
Read More →
Hidden in Plain Sight: Fleet Compliance Risks
Fleet compliance isn't just about having policies — it's about consistently enforcing them. This practical guide reveals six hidden compliance risks common in public sector and shared fleet operations and outlines proven strategies to improve visibility, accountability, and audit readiness
Read More →
Turning Fleet Payment Data into Executive Insights
Does data alone drive results in operations?
Read More →