Mercedes Announces Production of U.S. First All-Electric EQ SUV

I have been searching but have not found anything yet on Mercedes global or U.S. based web sites about expansion or additional battery production lines. I cannot think that a 985-foot line will be big enough to support building 7 different EVs here in the US. 

I think Mercedes is being way too conservative in their building of EVs.

Yes, starting at the top of the line, most expensive will tamper purchases, but the way certain groups of humans like Asians buy anything that has a 3-pointed star on it, they will be having more demand than production, I think.

Will be interesting to see how this plays out for them. GM, Ford, Rivian and Tesla all have up and running or in assembly battery plants that are far bigger than what Mercedes has built.

Get them now before the $7500 tax credit goes away in January.

The Alabama battery plant really only needs to serve demand for EQE SUV and EQS SUV.  That's all they are making there although it would make sense to make their lower end cars there so consumers can get the tax credit on them, because the $80,000 price cap is going to disqualify EQS and maybe all EQE trims.  They actually need to build the A-C class vehicles in Alabama, build the EQB there for example, it starts at $56,000, get the tax credit to $48,500 and then all of a sudden that looks like a good deal.

22 hours ago, smk4565 said:

Get them now before the $7500 tax credit goes away in January.

The Alabama battery plant really only needs to serve demand for EQE SUV and EQS SUV.  That's all they are making there although it would make sense to make their lower end cars there so consumers can get the tax credit on them, because the $80,000 price cap is going to disqualify EQS and maybe all EQE trims.  They actually need to build the A-C class vehicles in Alabama, build the EQB there for example, it starts at $56,000, get the tax credit to $48,500 and then all of a sudden that looks like a good deal.

The EQB is not here and as such would not get the rebate and starting January 1st 2023, the new rebate plan is what has some companies pissed off as the rebate is good only on EVs built in the US withs EV cars below the $55K threshold and trucks, SUVs and Vans below $80K. This is what has Kia and Hyundai pissed as well as Toyota since they build their EVs in their own country and export them here to the U.S.

Going to be interesting to see how this rebate plays out with the various auto companies.

Those interested in the bill that was signed into law can get it all here, they have one of the better breakdowns of it.

Electric Vehicle Tax Credits: What You Need to Know (investopedia.com)

46 minutes ago, David said:

The EQB is not here and as such would not get the rebate and starting January 1st 2023, the new rebate plan is what has some companies pissed off as the rebate is good only on EVs built in the US withs EV cars below the $55K threshold and trucks, SUVs and Vans below $80K. This is what has Kia and Hyundai pissed as well as Toyota since they build their EVs in their own country and export them here to the U.S.

Going to be interesting to see how this rebate plays out with the various auto companies.

Those interested in the bill that was signed into law can get it all here, they have one of the better breakdowns of it.

Electric Vehicle Tax Credits: What You Need to Know (investopedia.com)

Right but the $80k price cap doesn't start until January, so the EQS SUV qualifies right now, but I don't think they are even to dealers yet, so there is only going to be a 2-3 month window they get that tax break.  EQB isn't built in the USA.  I am saying Mercedes would be better off making EQB's in the USA to get the tax credit on them, and if there isn't enough capacity in Alabama to make GLE, GLS, EQE SUVs, EQS SUV, GLB, etc then move production of the EQS SUV to Germany since it is not credit eligible.  

Really this new law is industrial policy, which I happen to like.  It isn't so much about giving car buyers a tax rebate, it is about forcing the car companies to bring battery production to the USA and the free trade allies and out of China.  And all the car companies will come to the USA because you don't want to be Honda selling your electric CRV for $7500 more than Chevy's electric Equinox  because in the mass market segments you are dead in the water if you are priced 20% higher than a rival in the same segment.   

This is also a buffer to block the Chinese brands form coming, because they will start importing cheaper Chinese made EV's.