DaimlerChrysler AG will produce the Mercedes-Benz Grand Sports Tourer (GST) at the US site Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The company announced at a dealers’ conference in Canada that the production launch is already planned for the end of 2004. The production area at the Tuscaloosa site will be expanded accordingly until the production launch. Approximately USD 600 million will be invested in the plant expansion over the coming years.
Professor Jürgen Hubbert, Board of Management Member of DaimlerChrysler AG responsible for Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars & smart: "With the Grand Sports Tourer DaimlerChrysler is systematically advancing its product offensive, while also defining a new and promising market segment in the premium market area. The GST establishes a new vehicle class that combines the features of various car concepts to form a new independent profile." The "GST Vision" concept study was presented at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January 2002 and subsequently was further developed to the production standard in record time. The Mercedes-Benz GST will be launched on the market in the USA in close time correspondence with the production launch.
"With the Grand Sports Tourer DaimlerChrysler will be continuing the success story of the Tuscaloosa site. The outstanding acceptance of the M-Class, which has been produced in Alabama since 1997, shows that we have developed an ideal market for the sport utility vehicle segment in the USA," said Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Head of Mercedes-Benz PC & smart Sales & Marketing, in justifying the choice of the location. "As a touring car, station wagon, large-capacity vehicle and sport utility vehicle rolled into one the Grand Sports Tourer is primarily geared to the needs of the North American market. However, we also see great potential for the Mercedes-Benz GST in Europe due to its high functionality and flexibility."
Text and photos courtesy of DaimlerChrysler AG
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