Daimler to Go Electric in Alabama

Daimler will invest $1 billion in its Alabama manufacturing plant to begin production of a fully electric sport-utility vehicle there. Chester Dawson reports in The Wall Street Journal:

Daimler said it would begin production of an electric SUV early next decade at the Tuscaloosa plant and in 2018 begin construction nearby of a facility to assemble battery systems for use in those and other vehicles. Combined, the new plans are expected to create as many as 600 jobs, it said.

The new SUV will be sold under the Mercedes-Benz EQ electric vehicle subbrand, but the company didn’t specify its size or engine displacement.

German auto makers are moving rapidly toward electrification as demand for their trademark diesel technology has slumped in Europe.