Autoblog

UAW targeting VW and Mercedes for U.S. organizing drive

Jeff Sabatini — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 08:44:00 EST

Filed under: Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, UAW/Unions

The United Autoworkers Union is struggling - and it is the first to admit it. With its membership dwindling after three decades of workforce cuts by Chrysler, Ford and General Motors, the union has pinned its future on organizing one of the transplants. Efforts to convince workers at Japanese-owned plants, like the Nissan factory in Smyrna, Tennessee, have fallen on deaf ears in the past, but there's now hope that the UAW might succeed at one of the newer German-owned plants.

According to Reuters, the union is targeting the Mercedes-Benz plant in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, and the Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga. The UAW's strategy reportedly involves seeking assistance from IG Metall, the powerful German labor union that helped the UAW organize a VW plant in Pennsylvania in the 1970s. Reuters says the German union has a vested interest in helping the UAW, in that it does not want non-unionized workers at the German-owned plants in the United States to be able to undercut it on labor costs. If IG Metall can pressure the German carmakers not to oppose the UAW, the American union would have an easier time getting workers to vote for it, or at least that's the thinking.

Yet even with IG Metall's help, the UAW faces a historic challenge in organizing in the South, where the word "union" is regarded about the same as it was during the Civil War. And time is running out, according to the report, which says the UAW has been dipping into its strike fund since 2006.

UAW targeting VW and Mercedes for U.S. organizing drive originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Dec 2011 08:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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German Mercedes manager arrested in Alabama under new illegal immigration law

Chris Shunk — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 10:31:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Plants/Manufacturing, Mercedes-Benz

Alabama's strict immigration laws have helped land a Mercedes-Benz executive in jail. The Associated Press reports that an unnamed Mercedes executive was arrested after being pulled over for a routine traffic stop.

The arrest came after the 46-year-old exec was unable to produce any identification other than his German ID card. The executive was pulled over because his rental car reportedly did not have any tags, but he was later released after an associate was able to present his passport for inspection. Mercedes-Benz spokesperson Felyicia Jerald called the incident "unfortunate," and added that the incident was resolved once a colleague was able to produce a driver's license.

When Alabama Governor Robert Bentley heard of the executive's arrest, he reportedly contacted State Homeland Security Director Spencer Collier to get details. We're guessing that doesn't happen when most other immigration arrests in Alabama, but Mercedes-Benz has a substantial footprint in the state. Mercedes has built vehicles in Tuscaloosa since 1993, and the facility currently produces the ML, R-Class and GL.

German Mercedes manager arrested in Alabama under new illegal immigration law originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Nov 2011 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz gearing up for new model in Tuscaloosa, X6 fighter on the way?

Noah Joseph — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 15:59:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Plants/Manufacturing, Crossover, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

Since settling on Alabama as its North American manufacturing base, Mercedes-Benz has produced an endless stream of SUVs at its Tuscaloosa plant. Over the years, the facility has expanded to accommodate the M-Class, GL-Class and R-Class models. And in 2014 it will start producing the C-Class for the local market as well. Now the German automaker is planning on adding yet another line.

The expansion will encompass an investment of $350 million and the creation of 400 new jobs by the time production of the new model comes online in 2015. The question is, what will that new model be?

All Daimler is telling us is that it will be a new model, not the porting over of an existing one (as with the C-Class). Sources expect, however, that it will be a new crossover in the style of the BMW X6 - that is, four doors with a sloping roofline.

The photo above snapped at the site of the announcement certainly seems to corroborate the notion, as does earlier speculation. What the new model will be called remains to be seen, but one thing's for sure: it won't have much headroom in the back. Follow the jump for the press release.

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz gearing up for new model in Tuscaloosa, X6 fighter on the way?

Mercedes-Benz gearing up for new model in Tuscaloosa, X6 fighter on the way? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 Oct 2011 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes announces $2B investment into Tuscaloosa plant

Zach Bowman — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 16:01:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz has just announced that the German automaker will invest more than $2 billion into its Tuscaloosa, Alabama manufacturing facility. The cash is slated to go toward production of current the current M-Class, though funds will also go toward producing the next-generation GL-Class and C-Class at the factory. The funds will also be used to expand the overall capacity of the plant. The announcement came at a Job 1 celebration to mark the creation of the first production 2012 M-Class. Dieter Zetsche, head of Mercedes-Benz cars, said that the Tuscaloosa plant continues to serve as the blueprint for the automaker's facilities outside of Germany.

Mercedes-Benz also took the opportunity to announce that the company would donate an additional $100,000 to Alabama tornado relief and recovery efforts. The latest donation brings the company's total contribution up to $1.1 million. The Tuscaloosa community was struck by an EF4 tornado last April that took the lives of 32 people. Click past the jump for Benz's official press release.

Continue reading Mercedes announces $2B investment into Tuscaloosa plant

Mercedes announces $2B investment into Tuscaloosa plant originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Jul 2011 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford Mustang emerges from tornado devastation under its own power

Aaron Richardson — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Etc., Videos, Ford

Ford Mustang drives out of the rubble in Tuscaloosa, AL - Click above to watch the video after the jump.

The death toll from Wednesday's tornadoes has reached a staggering 204 in the state of Alabama alone. The once proud university town of Tuscaloosa, home to the multi-time NCAA National Champion Crimson Tide football team, lies in ruin. For now, there isn't much in the way of inspiring news from the state.

This morning, though, a video hit the web of a Tuscaloosa resident driving his Ford Mustang convertible out of the wreckage. The Mustang is far from a pretty sight, and likely won't be moving anywhere else under its own grunt any time soon, but it's inspiring nonetheless - a small glimmer that not all is lost.

True, a ragged, fifteen-year-old Ford dragging itself from the ruins of a terrible natural disaster isn't exactly the feel-good hit of the summer. True, the car's miraculous survival doesn't serve as a sign that Alabama's return to normal is right around the corner. What it does show, on however small a level, is that there's always hope, no matter how bleak things get. Check out the video after the break. Thanks for the tip, Douglass!

[Source: WFAA]

Continue reading Ford Mustang emerges from tornado devastation under its own power

Ford Mustang emerges from tornado devastation under its own power originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Apr 2011 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz and Toyota plants halted by tornado outage

Jeff Glucker — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 09:01:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Plants/Manufacturing, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota

Tornadoes are wreaking havoc in the southern United States, causing Mercedes-Benz and Toyota to put the brakes on production at each of their respective Alabama manufacturing facilities. Mercedes-Benz builds GL-Class, M-Class and R-Class vehicles in Tuscaloosa, while Toyota's Huntsville plant produces V6 and V8 engines for the Tundra and Tacoma pickup trucks and the Sequoia sport utility vehicle.

Both facilities are closed at the moment, and power outages are affecting many areas in the South. Reps for Toyota and Mercedes have stated that their plants will remain closed through the weekend.

[Source: Automotive News | Image: Butch Dill/AP]

Mercedes-Benz and Toyota plants halted by tornado outage originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Apr 2011 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Musikalische Stühlen: Mercedes shifts AMG boss to van division, Tuscaloosa manager to AMG

Noah Joseph — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 07:58:00 EST

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz is shifting some of their management, resulting in an intriguing game of musical chairs. The principal appointment has Volker Mornhinweg (pictured above left) leaving his position as head of the AMG performance arm to take control of Mercedes-Benz' van division. While seemingly a strange or unfortunate move for Mornhinweg on paper, the van division is very important to the company, and further, Daimler has a history of cycling rising executive stars through different branches in the company in order to give them a good "10,000 foot view" of the firm's operations - exactly the sort of experience that would be useful in one's future board members, say.

Of course, the butterfly effect of an appointment like that within such a hierarchical organization as Daimler AG results in endless ripples in the proverbial pond: Someone has to vacate his position to make room, and another has to take the vacated position, which in turn leaves another position open and so on and so forth. In this case, the announcement includes two other shifts in senior personnel. On the one hand, you have Dr. Wolfgang Bernhard, outgoing van guru, who moves up to the management board of Daimler AG and will oversee Mornhinweg's work.

Meanwhile, to succeed Mornhinweg at the head of AMG, Daimler has appointed Ola Kaellenius (pictured above right). With experience in Mercedes' F1 racing program, Swedish-born Kaellenius might be an ideal candidate to take up the reins at Mercedes-Benz AMG GmbH while the division's portfolio shifts away from big engines to smaller and more efficient, but no less powerful units. But wait a second, what was Kaellenius doing until now? He was running the company's plant in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where Mercedes assembles the M, R and GL-Class crossovers.

So who will take over at MBUSI, as the plant is known? As if to still the waters, Mercedes has yet to announce that appointment. But of course it's only a matter of time. Full details in the press release after the jump. Top tip, Oliver!

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

Continue reading Musikalische Stühlen: Mercedes shifts AMG boss to van division, Tuscaloosa manager to AMG

Musikalische Stühlen: Mercedes shifts AMG boss to van division, Tuscaloosa manager to AMG originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 Mar 2010 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Confirmed: Mercedes to shift some production of next-gen C-Class to Alabama

Noah Joseph — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 08:29:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Europe, Plants/Manufacturing, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

Fluctuations and disparities in currency exchange rates have grown to become a significant factor in determining where foreign automakers in particular assemble their vehicles. Mercedes-Benz is among those carmakers most cognizant of these effects, and it has been assembling select models in the United States to meet local demands. Now the German automaker has announced that, for the next generation of its popular C-Class sedan due in 2014, partial production will shift to its assembly plant in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where the M-Class, R-Class and GL-Class crossovers are already built.

The shift in production - which is set to comprise no more than one-fifth of global C-Class production - will not only help offset currency rates, but also afford greater flexibility in meeting local customer demand. The move is expected to further upset Germany's automotive workforce, which has grown restless in the wake of General Motors' collapsed sale of Opel.

In addition to the partial shift to Alabama, German production of the remaining four-fifths of C-Class production is set to switch places with the SL-Class roadster, the former moving from Sindelfingen to Bremen and the latter vice-versa. Full details in the press release after the jump.

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

Continue reading Confirmed: Mercedes to shift some production of next-gen C-Class to Alabama

Confirmed: Mercedes to shift some production of next-gen C-Class to Alabama originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Dec 2009 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz pondering C-Class production in Alabama?

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 16:06:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Plants/Manufacturing, Mercedes-Benz, Rumormill

Mercedes-Benz C-Class - click above for high-res image gallery

The C-Class is Mercedes-Benz's biggest seller Stateside, and a report in a Stuttgart newspaper indicates the company could be looking to stabilize the revenue from its bread-and-butter sedan. The C-Class is currently produced in Sindelfingen, Germany, and that makes it prey to currency swings on the trip across the pond. If Mercedes transferred production to its plant in Vance, Alabama, the company would also pay lower labor costs than it does in Europe.

The Alabama plant currently makes the M, GL, and R-Class vehicles. In March of this year, Mercedes allotted $290 million to expand the facility but didn't name any vehicle that would be added there, only saying it would be "future product." The German report mentioned that Mercedes could move some SL production from Bremen to Sindelfingen to make up for the shift, but a Mercedes spokesman said there is nothing in the works and nothing to comment on at the moment.

A German labor representative said that if such a move were to come, he would expect Mercedes to have a plan to save the 3,000 jobs that would be jeopardized at Sindelfingen, and protect production at Bremen as well. If Mercedes does move the C-Class here, it would become the first of the German players to build its highest volume car in the States.

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz C-Class

[Source: WGAL]

Mercedes-Benz pondering C-Class production in Alabama? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 27 Sep 2009 16:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Mercedes-Benz expected to expand Alabama plant

Chris Paukert — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 10:58:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Plants/Manufacturing, Daimler, Mercedes-Benz, Rumormill

Last week, we told you how despite the downturn, Daimler is upping its investment in the state of Michigan, coming to terms with the city of Ann Arbor to build a new hybrid and electric R&D facility. Now, Automotive News is reporting that the automaker is expected to actually expand its Vance, Alabama production plant.

If the rumors are true, the Mercedes-Benz plant (which currently builds GL, M, and R class vehicles) will benefit from a $290 million investment that is to begin within 60 days. The news evidently leaked out after company officials contacted the Tuscaloosa County Industrial Development Authority about property and sales tax breaks (which it apparently received).

The expansion news comes at an odd time, as not only has the automaker's sales been flagging in the U.S. (down 20 percent in February year-over-year, admittedly much better than the market plunge of 41.4 percent), but sales of Vance-built SUVs in particular have fallen off, with Benz responding by reducing the plant's workforce.

Automotive News says the expansion effort won't be completed until 2011, but word yet on how much capacity this will give the plant (and what it will be used for) is not yet known.

[Source: Automotive News - subs. req'd]

Rumormill: Mercedes-Benz expected to expand Alabama plant originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Mar 2009 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Complete info, pics on the Mercedes M-Class "Edition 10"

Alex Nunez — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 14:01:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Mercedes-Benz

Click image for photo gallery

Mercedes has followed-up its live press conference shots of the M-Class "Edition10" SUV with complete details and the additional photos we'd been expecting to see. In a nutshell, here's the rundown on the M-Class Edition 10.

Five "Edition 10"models (market availability varies):

ML 420 CDI 4MATIC
ML 280 CDI
ML 320 CDI
ML 350
ML 500

"Edition 10" package includes:

20" alloys in silver or "chrome shadow" finish
Darkened housings for headlamps and foglamps
Titanium-look radiator grille and front bumper guard
Tnted taillamp clusters
Titanium-look rear bumper guard
Squared twin-tip dual exhaust outlets
Blue-tinted glass
Assorted chrome trim elements
Edition 10 badging
Two-tone beige and black interior
Edition 10 floormats

Follow the jump for the total breakdown in the Mercedes-issued press release, and check out more shots of the car in the gallery below.

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz M-Class "Edition 10"

Continue reading Complete info, pics on the Mercedes M-Class "Edition 10"

Complete info, pics on the Mercedes M-Class "Edition 10" originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 Jul 2007 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes celebrates 10 years in Tuscaloosa with "Edition 10" M-Class

Alex Nunez — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 17:27:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Mercedes-Benz

Click image for gallery

Mercedes-Benz is celebrating 10 years of operation at its Tuscaloosa, AL facility, which is best known for producing the M-Class SUV. At a press event held at the plant and presided over by Dr. Z himself, the automaker presented a special edition version of its SUV stalwart dubbed "Edition 10." The Edition10 limited-edition package is a paint-and-trim deal that's quite good-looking, actually. The requisite badges are joined by other visual highlights such as darkened trim around the headlamps, darker taillamp lenses, a black chrome look to the grille, and a similar treatment on the hood vents. A two-tone interior and metallic pedals are also included, and based on what we see in the photos released, a metal steprail is also part of the package. No pricing for the Edition 10 option has been released yet, and we'd expect to see some additional shots of the SUV before all is said and done.

Press release follows the jump.

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz M-Class "Edition 10"

Continue reading Mercedes celebrates 10 years in Tuscaloosa with "Edition 10" M-Class

Mercedes celebrates 10 years in Tuscaloosa with "Edition 10" M-Class originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Jul 2007 17:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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