Unrealistic Gas-Mileage Ratings Widen Gap With...

Mercedes-Benz could move C-Class production to U.S.

 
3 1,438 views Jan 21, 2008
Follow Nelson

Mercedes-Benz could move C-Class production to U.S.

Mercedes-Benz could move C-Class production to U.S.

Enlarge Photo
Despite the downturn in the U.S. economy, luxury brands like Mercedes-Benz continue to see sales growth in the world's biggest car market. The falling dollar has made it even more profitable to build cars in America - and Mercedes already builds M-, R- and GL-class vehicles in its Alabama plant. It is now beginning to look like the company could also include C-class production in its American facilities, especially with the new GLK, which is based on the same platform as the C-class, coming this fall.

The GLK, which shares parts from chassis to electronics with the C-class, is expected to do well in the U.S., so moving C-class (and GLK) production there could prove very fruitful. Mercedes has already invested more than US$700 million in its Alabama plant since 2004, according to Automotive News. Adding C-class and GLK production on top of the plant's annual output of nearly 175,000 M-, R- and GL-class vehicles would be one of the easiest ways to increase sales and presence in North America.

The talk of such an expansion of the Alabama plant is still very speculative, however. Despite the clear trend of the last few years showing increased sales of Mercedes-Benz products in the U.S., the company isn't yet sure if the return will be worth the investment. A company executive has been quoted as saying "maybe the day will come when we are discussing adding capacity" to the Alabama plant. It seems that day is yet to come - but we are certainly drawing nearer.



Posted in:
 
Contribute
Send us a tip Comment Contact the editor
Follow Us

 

Have an opinion?Join the conversation!

  • Posting indicates you have read this site's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • Notify me when there are more comments
Comments (3)

  1. By shkumbin Posted: 1/22/2008 7:16am PST

    i love mercedes-benz
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  2. By Dcars62 Posted: 7/15/2008 8:01pm PDT

    After the rape and pillage of Chrysler it would be nicer if the "day" never came.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  3. ma_Countach avatar Countach Posted: 1/19/2009 10:13am PST

    Love this new C-class.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

 

Have an opinion?Join the conversation!

Connect with Facebook

Motor Authority. Now with your friends.

Discover stories your friends read.
Share stories more easily.
You control what you share.
Learn more

Research New Cars

Go!


More from High Gear Media

 
 
MotorAuthority
  • Follow Us
  • Twiiter
  • Facebook
 
 
© 2011 MotorAuthority. All Rights Reserved. MotorAuthority is published by High Gear Media. Stock photography by Homestar, LLC. Send us feedback.