Daimler has made this year many announcements about their electric auto program. China was a natural place to have a battery plant and of course due to the aggressive acts by the government to have an electric auto program. Daimler on Friday October 5th made what was an expected investment announcement of their Alabama factory to be upgraded to start production of their newest GLE model.
What also was announced was that Daimler is going to build as part of a $1 billion dollar retrofit and expansion a massive new electric auto Battery production line. This comes as Mercedes-Benz launches their EQ product line. On Friday Board member Markus Schaefer stated “We aim to play a pioneering role in the development of e-mobility and are well-prepared to accomplish this mission,”
Daimler with Board support is currently updating 6 factories to produce EQ autos for the global market and besides the Battery plant in China and now the US is adding six more for a total of 8 Auto battery manufacturing sites to support Daimlers plans to convert their whole product line to Hybrid and pure electric only auto's for the global market.
The home Plant in Sindelfingen Germany which is the home to the building of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class will become their Center of Competence for building all Autonomous and electric auto's.
Daimler has stated they will spend $1.75 Billion to build a battery production plant in Sindelfingen and one in Untertuerkheim which is also being converted to a high tech electric car component production facility. This expansion joins Daimlers original electric auto battery production in Kamenz Germany.
Reuters Daimler story 1
Reuters Daimler Story 2