AM General to Build Mercedes R-Class Crossover
Daimler AG is assigning U.S. production of its Mercedes-Benz R-Class crossover to South Bend, Ind.-based assembly contractor AM General LLC.
Daimler AG is assigning U.S. production of its Mercedes-Benz R-Class crossover to South Bend, Ind.-based assembly contractor AM General LLC.
The move will free up production at Daimler's factory in Tuscaloosa, Ala., to add the new GLE coupelike crossover and make more C-Class sedans and various other hot-selling SUVs and crossovers.
AM General is primarily a maker of military vehicles, including the HMMWV (Humvee). The company expects to begin making the seven-seat R-Class this summer at its 675,000 sq-ft plant in Mishawaka, Ind.
Automobilwoche says Daimler is targeting annual output of about 10,000 units. Mercedes introduced the R-Class in the U.S. in 2005 but dropped it from its American lineup in 2012 after selling fewer than 1,500 units that year. The car currently is sold primarily in China.
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