Following the common trend in today’s automotive industry, Mercedes-Benz has announced that it will be cutting production at its Alabama truck plant beginning this August. The Vance, Alabama plant produces the GL and ML-Class SUVs, as well as the R-Class crossover.
The production slowdown will see the plant’s Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks extended and also the elimination of six Friday night shifts through the remainder of the year.
“We are adjusting our production schedule for the remainder of the year in response to market demand,” plant spokeswoman Felyicia Jerald told Automotive News. “Obviously, we made this decision to stay competitive and guarantee our long-term success.”
Jerald failed to mention how long the extended breaks will last or how many vehicles will be cut from this year’s production schedule.
According to Mercedes, this is the first time since the automaker began producing vehicles in the U.S. 11 years ago that it has had to reduce production due to economic conditions.
07/24, 4:58 PM
posted by:
xyunya
Oh my R-class isn’t selling well? Such a beauty, what a shame.
07/24, 5:44 PM
posted by:
mayer_ray_nagin
Mercedes builds nothing but shït. This is what they deserve.
07/24, 6:15 PM
posted by:
shaver
They need to put more technology in their cars to keep up with Nasa space program and add atleast 12 more models to keep up with Audis model proliferation.
07/24, 7:05 PM
posted by:
Get Real
Employees will go back to making moonshine and trying to hook up with their cousins again.
07/24, 9:16 PM
posted by:
Bimmer
Dunno about Merc, but BMW seX5 has SEVEN month waiting list in UK!
07/25, 12:48 AM
posted by:
bolex
i second that, mayer_ray_nagin
07/25, 12:57 AM
posted by:
anderson_b76
mayer_ray_nagin….you’re an idiot. Stop posting, making comments that MB is crap. Why does almost every luxury competitor go directly after them? Why has the S class always been and always will be the best selling high-end luxury sedan? Why does the E class outsell the BMW 5 series, Audi A6, Lexus GS, Infiniti M, etc.? Obviously you are just a jealous punk who can’t afford a MB and as a result you have to make comments to bash the car. Stick to what you know, Chevys and Fords.
07/25, 1:06 AM
posted by:
beatusmongous
More sales doesn’t always mean “better.”
F-150
Corolla
VHS
McDonald’s
07/25, 1:12 AM
posted by:
anderson_b76
F-150 sells well for a reason. Better is subjective, but crap does not sell successfully year over year. And btw, the F-150 is not selling well anymore as posted in a press release Ford released to Wallstreet this week.
07/25, 4:20 AM
posted by:
nkay
Merc have let themselves go. They need to get a cash cow model pronto. (a class needs to be revamped form being a taxi to something a little sexier. The B class can satisfy the mom’s.)
The c class is a disaster.
The interior looks fine but the communication/nav system is not user focused. where BMW have something hot for everyone (with the exception of the X3 which is very tepid), with Merc its hard to find anything dream worthy.
Their globally strong brand and image will most likely carry them through hard times but
they need to get their house in order; brand loyalty can only take you so far.
07/25, 10:05 AM
posted by:
csf89
Actually anderson_b76, they are right about MB. if you look at the Euro NCAP, MB cars as a company rank almost as low as the french cars. the only reason why they sell well, is because they are an icon, and always have been. thats why lexus and bmw are trying to play catch-up with them, frankly, bmw build quality isnt much better than MB. out of all the luxury segment lexus is the best for build quality, but they are probably the worlds most boring cars when it comes to drivability. my parents both drive lexus, they both love them, when i drive them i think wheres the power?
But thats why MB sells better than the rest of the segment, because of loyalty from customers, and their iconic nature. what you will also find is that a lot of MB and BMW drivers are switching over to lexus because they cant afford the high german repair bills.
My uncle drives an s55 amg, but he cant drive it in winter because the suspension collapses all the time… thanks, ill stick to my lexus’. lexus buyers are happy buyers
07/25, 11:23 AM
posted by:
xyunya
anderson_b76, I hate to remind you that personal insults are not the sign of intelligence either. The idea of this forum that we can post what we want to say without censorship from each other. That right is reserved by providers of this forum. So if mayer_ray is expressing his opinion, it is his right to do so.
07/25, 11:44 AM
posted by:
anderson_b76
xyunya, I hate to remind you that posting ignorant comments is certainly not a sign of intelligence, and while it is anyone’s right to post, it is also everyone’s right to bash people who make dumb comments and hopefully incouraging them to speak with some level of intelligence. Without comments like his, or yours that aren’t sticking to the topic, it would be a more enjoyable and informative forum to read. Nobody appreciates comments like he made, it’s a waste of space on the page, but nice try anyway.
07/25, 2:38 PM
posted by:
xyunya
As long as we can have civilized argument, let me point that bushing and insulting has a different connotation. Perhaps even a different value and meaning. A lot of people have rather strong opinions here about “their” brand and “competing” brands, and it is OK to disagree, I am encouraging to restrain from personal insults. I am the first to use sarcasm and humor (understood by others or presented well by me is another subject), but let agree not to insult first. I usually reply on insult with insult(s), but there is really no need for it if we to follow some rudimentary etiquette. Cheers.