Last week’s reports of Mercedes-Benz buying Chrysler ’s Pacifica Advanced Design Center are now confirmed, with the German automaker moving its operations there in July. The automaker will leave its current U.S. design headquarters in Irvine, California, with the 35,000 square foot Carlsbad location offering Benz designers nearly three times as much space, allowing the construction of full-scale vehicle models.
Just how much money traded hands in the deal between the two companies, which merged and recently separated again, is not known, though AutoWeek previously reported the property was listed at $7.3 million.
“The substantial enlargement of our design studio in California bears testament to the growing importance of design at Mercedes-Benz ,” said Gorden Wagener, head of strategic advanced design for Mercedes-Benz Cars, in a press release.
