Mercedes could build C-Class in the U.S.

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.
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w209w114 - 1/22/2008 12:18:42 PM

-1 Boost

Good news and more jobs for people in America. Both sides will benefit from this deal.

kpaxx - 1/22/2008 12:21:53 PM

0 Boost

The new C-Class looks nice it has that subtle understated beauty.

EL34 - 1/22/2008 12:34:22 PM

-1 Boost

More jobs for Americans :-)

Less jobs for Germans :-(

autopro - 1/22/2008 4:06:15 PM

+1 Boost

Just don't build it along side the jeep.

w209w114 - 1/23/2008 12:46:54 PM

+1 Boost

Have u been living under a rock? This has NOTHING remotely to do with Jeep. Daimler AG has nothing to do with Chrysler

autopro - 1/23/2008 1:51:59 PM

+1 Boost

Its a joke you fool,the ML was built on the same assembly as the jeep gran cherokee.I hate having to explain these things to people who read a car magazine and think they know something about cars.Rookie!

xzil3d - 1/22/2008 5:07:00 PM

+2 Boost

Am I the only one that finds this to be a horrible idea? Sure, great for the USA and its economy... but I want my german car to be built in germany. Others outside of the States would also want that.

I mean, look at what happened to the maxima. It was assembled in Japan but is now assembled in Tennessee if I'm not mistaken. This was move was a big mistake for Nissan. Now everyone will deboost me, but i firmly stand my ground.

w209w114 - 1/23/2008 12:48:39 PM

0 Boost

Lexus, Toyota, BMWs, Mercedes, are all built in America. Welcome to the new era of globalization.

Anthony - 1/23/2008 4:37:31 PM

+3 Boost

There are no Lexus models built in the U.S. What a coincidence that they have better build quality than their European competition that are built in America. (RX -> X5, ML). I am all for globalization, but globalization is only utilized by these luxury car manufacturers as a way of cost-cutting, which is not a good thing for premium marques such as Mercedes-Benz. The best-built Benzes are/were all built in Europe/Germany.

LexusKindaGuy12 - 1/22/2008 5:11:50 PM

+1 Boost

i thought they were building the cars in south africa...

w209w114 - 1/23/2008 12:49:23 PM

+1 Boost

Thats only 1 plant.

JRobUSC - 1/22/2008 7:51:33 PM

+1 Boost

BMWs destined for the U.S. are built in the following places:

Austria - X3, moving to the U.S. when new X3 comes out.
South Africa - limited # of 3-series sedans.
South Carolina - X5 and Z4, soon to include X6 and X3. The new Z4 will move back to Germany.
Germany - everything else, including all 3-Series coupes, convertibles, wagons, and most sedans, all 5-Series, all 6-Series, all 7-Series, and the redesigned Z4.

So there are no Indian-made BMW's in the U.S.

xzil3d - 1/23/2008 8:13:05 AM

+2 Boost

I'm not quite sure where you're getting your info, but most of Audis are being assembled in Germany, I'm not sure where China comes in. VWs aren't being assembled in Mexico either. I do recall them being built there, but not anymore. As for BMW, well JRobUSC pretty summed that up.

autopro - 1/23/2008 1:58:20 PM

+2 Boost

Hey dimwit formula209 Lexus's are not built in the U.S.about 30% of RX350's are built in canada.That's It.