ML320 Mercedes Benz History

In April 1993 the parent company, then Daimler-Benz AG, a plant built in the U.S. in order to better serve the American market and to underscore the claim as a world business. In September of the year was the location decision, was founded after which MBUSI. In July 1996 the plant in the Daimler has invested 300 million U.S. dollars had been, done. In January / February 1997, the production of the M-Class was launched the first generation, 320 at the top of the ML and the great ML320 Mercedes Benz ;) . The plan was initially to produce 65,000 copies per year. Sales start in the U.S. was in September of the year. Due to the success Daimler invested in 1998 and 1999, together 80 million U.S. dollars in an expansion of output by around 20% to 80,000 units per year. Well rolled, made in two shifts, an average of 350 cars delivered daily. From the first-generation M-Class 571,000 units were produced. Already in August 2000, Daimler AG announced new expansion plans. 600 million U.S. dollars for an additional production line was built to the second-generation M-Class and R-and GL-class produce. From 1999 had until 2002 to meet demand in Europe may be the M-Class also produced at Magna Steyr plant (Graz / Austria). With the completion of the expansion in late 2004 and the beginning of 2005, production doubled in about production volume and surface as well as the number of employees.

The M-Class since 1997 was the first Mercedes from Mercedes-Benz U.S. International in Vance in Tuscaloosa (Alabama, USA) produced. The designation "M" had, however, have been protected by BMW. Therefore it was agreed with BMW on the name M-Class, the models are for example ML320 Mercedes Benz, however, under the symbol "ML" sold(eg, ML 320 Mercedes Benz).