AM General Scores Mercedes-Benz Contract
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowA new manufacturing contract between South Bend-based AM General LLC and Mercedes-Benz U.S. International Inc. could create hundreds of jobs. The deal involves production of the luxury car maker's R-Class sport utility vehicle. Mercedes-Benz plans to move production from an Alabama facility to AM General's Mishawaka Commercial Assembly Plant. Cars could begin rolling off the lines this summer. The company has cited increased demand as the reason for the move.
January 27, 2015
News Release
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – AM General LLC and Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, Inc., today announced that Mercedes-Benz has selected AM General to manufacture the Mercedes-Benz R-Class luxury vehicle at AM General's world-class 675,000 square-foot Commercial Assembly Plant. Because of increasing demand for its Sport Utility Vehicles and the need for greater production capacity in the U.S, Mercedes-Benz is moving production of the R-Class from its Tuscaloosa, Ala. plant to AM General's Commercial Assembly Plant in Mishawaka, Ind.
Under the multi-year agreement, AM General becomes Mercedes-Benz's first and only contract manufacturing operator in the U.S. AM General anticipates R-Class vehicles will start rolling off its production lines this summer and will hire and train hundreds of new workers in order to prepare for R-class production.
“AM General is pleased to have been selected by Mercedes-Benz to build this vehicle at our world-class commercial vehicle facility in Mishawaka. We look forward to a long term relationship with Mercedes and expanding our services to the U.S. and global auto industry,” said Charlie Hall, President and CEO of AM General.
AM General's Commercial Assembly Plant is a full service manufacturing and support facility that utilizes state-of-the-art robotic welding, painting and assembly techniques coupled with a lean manufacturing culture and highly skilled workforce to meet the requirements of its customers.
“This is yet another example of AM General's deep and growing commitment to the cities of Mishawaka and South Bend, the State of Indiana and our highly skilled, hardworking employees,” Hall added.
In this rapidly growing segment of its business, AM General has extensive experience as an automotive Contract Assembler and Original Equipment Manufacturer. Commercial vehicle contract assembly initiatives include work for General Motors and other Original Equipment Manufacturers. As an Original Equipment Manufacturer, AM General, through its wholly owned subsidiary Mobility Ventures LLC, designs, produces and supports the new MV-1 – the world's first purpose-built, universally accessible vehicle which is expanding choice in transportation for families, livery and paratransit fleets.
About AM General
AM General has more than five decades of experience in two separate assembly plants meeting the changing needs of the defense and commercial automotive industries. The Company has produced more than 1.5 million vehicles, supported by its employees at major facilities in Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio, and a strong supplier base that stretches across 43 states.
Source: AM General LLC
January 27, 2015
Statement From South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg
“Once again, the South Bend area is competing and winning when it comes to manufacturing job growth. With its South Bend headquarters and Mishawaka facilities, AM General is continuing to create good-paying jobs for people across this area. Working families are the real winners here, with hundreds of new jobs coming online and our area primed for further innovation and growth. It's a good day for South Bend, Mishawaka, and the surrounding region.”
Source: The Office of South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg