Mercedes-Benz began producing electric vehicles in the US

The first production copy of the EQS electric SUV rolled off the assembly line at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Mercedes-Benz will produce the EQS SUV exclusively in the US, from where the vehicles are exported to global markets. The launch of the new SUV is the next step in Mercedes-Benz's strategy to assemble eight all-electric models at seven production sites on three continents. Later this year, the EQE SUV will be launched in Tuscaloosa.

Traction batteries for the EQS SUV come from a newly opened battery plant in Bibb County, Alabama. The batteries are assembled on a 985-foot (300-meter) production line with 70 workstations.

The Tuscaloosa plant has been producing Merceds-Benz SUVs since 1997. During this time, about four million cars left the assembly line. Nearly two-thirds of the cars are shipped to other countries, making Mercedes-Benz US one of the largest car exporters in the US.

Sales of the Mercedes-Benz EQS electric SUV should start later this year. Pricing details are yet to be announced, but it is clear that the SUV will be more expensive than the sedan built on a similar platform, which starts at $102,390 for the rear-wheel-drive version of the EQS 450.

Source: Mercedes-Benz