MERC INVESTS IN ELECTRIC SUVS

DETROIT: Mercedes-benz is to spend $1 billion (R13.2bn) to expand its Alabama facilities and start production on a new line of fully electric SUVS.

The company plans to build a battery plant near its assembly plant in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Construction is due to begin next year and the project is expected to create about 600 new jobs. The plant will start production of the EQ line of electric SUVS around 2020. It is aiming at Tesla with the EQ, which will also have semi-autonomous driving features.

Mercedes made the announcement on Thursday as it celebrated the 20th anniversary of its Tuscaloosa plant. – AP