LADSON, SC—Mercedes-Benz Vans will build a new $500 million assembly plant here to produce its next-generation Sprinter vans. The facility is expected to create 1,300 jobs.
WASHINGTON—Nine automotive assembly plants are among 70 US manufacturing facilities that have achieved Energy Star certification from the Environmental Protection Agency for their superior energy performance in 2014. Together, these 70 factories cut their energy bills by $725 million and reduced greenhouse gas emissions by more than 8 million metric tons.
COLUMBIA, SC—South Carolina is a finalist for Volvo’s first North American assembly plant. North Carolina and Kentucky also are pursuing the Swedish carmaker’s plant.
LEBANON, OH—Auto parts supplier Advics Manufacturing Ohio Inc. plans to invest $100 million to expand its assembly plant here and add new equipment. The company, which makes brake components, expects to add approximately 100 new jobs during the next two years.
Automotive OEMs and Tier 1s are increasingly separating specific assembly processes from the main production line as part of their lean manufacturing model.