Posted on 03/10/2015 5:39:56 PM PDT by nascarnation
The commercial van segment is exploding in popularity in the US right now with a vast array of recent products from multiple marques, and there's even more on the way from automakers like Hyundai. Mercedes-Benz is trying to grab a bigger share of the expanding market, too, and is launching its smaller Metris here in the fall. Now comes word that Mercedes will construct a $500-million factory in Charleston, SC, that will build the next-gen Sprinter domestically.
According to Mercedes, construction of the new plant will begin in 2016, and when complete, the site will cover around 200 acres, including a body shop, paint shop and assembly line. It will also employ 1,300 people who will be building Sprinters badged as both Mercedes and Freightliner models.
Rumors about this new construction go back to late last year. Mercedes currently has to ship some partially disassembled Sprinters into the US from Germany, paying import duties on them, and then the company puts the vans back together at a site in Ladson, SC. The process obviously adds costs to the models, and the domestic factory should mean a more price-competitive vehicle. Plus, a local factory means quicker deliveries to dealers.
Despite the laborious import process, the Sprinter is a hit in the US. Mercedes sold 25,745 of them in 2014, which made the country the van's second-largest market behind Germany. They were first launched here in 2001 and since then have gained a nine-percent market share in the segment, according to the company.
Mercedes is on a construction boom at the moment. The company is building a new corporate headquarters for the US in Atlanta, GA, due to be complete in 2018. The German brand is also investing $2.4 billion to expand its Tuscaloosa, AL, factory to build models like the forthcoming GLE-Class.
Simple, no unions.
Right to work.
Port on the Atlantic.
Tech school system that will train new workers for free.
hehe
South Carolina already has BMW SUV factory and suppliers in SC, complete with Performance Driving School. Very cool place.
aaaahhhh and I thought New York would be perfect. The unions need the money to help the demcorupts and the mayor of the Apple wanted to show how he loves the Germans
South Carolina has good leadership and strong roots.
I am glad they are doing well.
Mercedes Metris
In jest I’m sure. Ha!
I wonder if taxpayers are on the hook for some of this?
I hear Detroit has plenty of vacant land to build on, if you set aside the rampant arson, metal theft and violent crime.
I’m sure they are. Any big project like this draws big govt money. States are desperate for industry that pays double digit wages per hour.
Making the rest of us pay for it is wrong
That’s kinda neat, but I wish someone would really do a camper version, similar to the old VW Westfalia, that would get good mileage but let you sleep and camp in some degree of comfort.
In the purest sense, I agree.
In America 2015, this stuff is pervasive.
I don’t know where it ends up.
Your wish is my command. LOL
Ask and you shall receive:
http://siesta-sprinter.com/
http://www.colonialairstream.com/airstreams-for-sale/interstate/9729/
http://www.coachhouserv.com/
http://www.sprinter-rv.com/
South Carolina Ping
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Does anybody have any information on the growth of technical colleges in south as compared to detriot or the Midwest?
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