Mercedes-Benz will decide by January on C-Class production in Alabama

Mercedes-Benz C-Class

According Automotive News, Daimler AG will decided by January 2010 whether or not to shift some of its Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan production to its U.S. factory in Vance, Alabama. Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche said today that the decision would be based on the currency rates and whether or not the dollar will remain weak against the euro.

Reports from German media say that if the move is approved, Daimler would build about 80,000 C-Class cars annually in Alabama.

Moving the production of the C-Class to Alabama would require some additional capital to expand and retool the Vance factory. The factory currently builds the M-Class, GL-Class and R-Class models.

Mercedes-Benz is preparing to launch the next-generation C-Class by 2013.

– By: Omar Rana