Daimler to Produce Additional Model at the Mercedes-Benz Tuscaloosa Plant (USA)

Daimler will further expand its U.S. plant in Tuscaloosa, Alabama: as of 2015, an entirely new Mercedes-Benz model will roll off the production line as its fifth product. The plant has been the traditional production site of the brand’s M-, GL-, and R-Class SUVs and will also build the C-Class for the North American market beginning 2014. For the production of the new model, Daimler will additionally invest US$ 350 million, and will create some 400 further jobs at the plant.


Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Daimler Board of Management and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars: “This new model from the Tuscaloosa plant is an important element of our growth strategy. It is one of the ten additional models which we will introduce within the next four years alone across all segments.” Referring to the Tuscaloosa plant’s role within the global production network of Mercedes-Benz Cars, Zetsche added: “At the same time, we are systematically broadening our manufacturing footprint in the NAFTA region.”

Robert Bentley, Governor of the State of Alabama: "Since the time Mercedes-Benz chose Tuscaloosa County for its first US assembly plant 18 years ago, the company has proven to be an outstanding partner for the state. We join MBUSI in celebrating this milestone, and welcome the hundreds of jobs this announcement brings to Alabama."
Just earlier this year, on the occasion of the Job #1 ceremony of the new Mercedes-Benz M-Class in July, Daimler had announced the decision to invest more than US$2 billion in the Tuscaloosa plant (Mercedes-Benz U.S. International – MBUSI). In total, investment in the plant between 2010 and 2014 will thus amount to US$2.4 billion, while the number of newly created jobs will add up to 1,400.

Markus Schaefer, President and CEO of MBUSI, commented on these decisions: “The entire MBUSI team is proud of its role in the success of the models made in Tuscaloosa. We are looking forward to making further important contributions to the product offensive of Mercedes-Benz.”

Source: Daimler AG

Copyright © 2011, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

REPORT: The Vision SLA concept comes into focus, could spawn series model

Remember the youthful Vision SLA concept of 2000? Well, it appears Merc execs have remembered it too and plan to uncloak a serial-production roadster based on this showcar in the upcoming years.





If the project is greenlighted, then the open-top should retain the SLA particle in the final title and slot in the Mercedes-Benz range right beneath the SLK. Given the reach portfolio of cabriolets, it is not hard to guess that the new small-sized convertible from Stuttgart will follow the footsteps of its bigger brothers in terms of exterior and interior styling, in addition to receiving its own identity, created starting from the theme of the new A-Class.



As part of the future lineup of compact cars (which already comprises 4/5 versions: a hatchback, an MPV, an SUV, a 4-door coupe and probably a shooting brake), the SLA is supposed to underpin the new Mercedes Frontwheel Architecture platform and the efficient powerplants specially developed for the new A-Class and B-Class variants. So, expect 1.6-, 1.8- and possibly 2.0-litre gasoline and diesel engines to power the little cabrio, with maximum outputs ranging from 109 hp up to 204 hp.



It is shrouded in darkness whether the SLA, scheduled to bow after 2013, will use a hardtop. Judging by the spacial restrictions, we tend to say the cloth roof would be a more suitable alternative in this case, but who knows what the future holds for us.



Source: GoAuto



Copyright © 2011, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

AFOS Race Queen

Venue: Sepang International Circuit

Stand tall and firm
We're about to start ;)
*peace*

Truth: I was too near the race queen, with the 300mm lens.

Micco is back

It's been yonks!
"Aging well!" and so they cry..
my body says otherwise :P
I've neglected you for months too long, little micco..
and in that few months, it was life changing.
So many words yet where to start?
Leave the past...
in my dreams micco barked.


Venue: Tropicana

Portrait: Regine

Thank you so very much to Regine...



Venue: Tropicana, Malaysia

...for spending all afternoon being most natural!

You made this possible :)

For the rest of you, more shall be on its way.

Formula Drift 2009 Babe

HAPPY NEW YEAR!



Venue:MAEPS Serdang

Under the blazing hot sun,
they stand tall & heel-y with confidence and courage.

Under the same blazing hot sun,
we...?

Portfolio: Elie Ng

Finally!

Miss Malaysia Pageant 2009 Finalist #4


Elie Ng is also the winner of Miss Photogenic
- sponsored by FotoworX

These photos and many more are taken inside Tropicana Golf & Country Club.
It was really sweet and kind of Elie to spend all day making this possible.

I just adore her natural beauty.
The only editing I could was to tweak the colours of the background.

Lovin' it!