Mercedes-Benz begins US production of EQS all-electric luxury SUV

Luxury automaker Mercedes-Benz announced late last week that it has begun production of the first all-electric Mercedes-EQ built in the United States, the new EQS SUV.

Production began at the company’s Tuscaloosa plant in Alabama, long home to Mercedes-Benz large SUVs since 1997 and now a key production location for Mercedes-EQ luxury electric SUVs.

Mercedes-Benz premiered the luxury electric EQS SUV earlier this year. Able to seat up to seven passengers while still offering a driving range of up to 660 kilometres (WLTP), the EQS is the third model series to be built on its new EV architecture that also delivered the EQS luxury saloon and EQE sporty executive saloon.

North American production marks yet another milestone for the EQS – following its European launch in early August, and the not-so-great milestone of recalls in China.

The start of production is also a key step in Mercedes-Benz’ larger goal of producing eight all-electric vehicles at seven sites on three continents by year’s end.

“Our production network is very well positioned for the sustainable and rapid scaling of electric vehicle volumes,” said Jörg Burzer, member of the board of management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG.

“With the new EQS SUV joining our production portfolio of all-electric Mercedes-EQ models, we reached another important milestone in our strategy to go all electric by the end of the decade – wherever market conditions allow.”

The state-of-the-art Tuscaloosa production plant is also supported by the recently opened Mercedes-Benz Battery Factory in Bibb County, Alabama, which is supplying the efficient battery systems for the EQS.