Southern Auto Corridor - Summer 2018

Auto industry would need $7.6 billion bailout to offset tariffs

A study by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce that came out this summer showed that the Trump administration would need to offer the auto industry $7.6 billion in taxpayer-funded aid to counter tariffs in the escalating trade conflict with China and the European Union. The bailout would be similar to the $12 billion in aid President Trump gave U.S. farmers when China, the EU, Mexico and Canada enacted retaliatory tariffs on farm products. 

ALABAMA

During the summer, Mercedes unveiled its first fully electric SUV — the EQC — to be built in Alabama.  Mercedes-Benz introduces first fully electric SUV that will be built in Alabama

In the summer quarter, Atlanta-based Mercedes-Benz North America unveiled the EQC, the German automaker’s first fully electric SUV. The EQC has an estimated range of 200 miles. Production of the ECQ will begin in 2019 at the Mercedes plant in Bremen, Germany, and later at its plant in Tuscaloosa County, Ala.

Honda announces another expansion of its Alabama plant

Honda is once again investing in its large assembly plant in Lincoln, Ala. The latest expansion by the automaker is a $54 million investment that will add 50,000 square feet of space at its second line operations. Honda employs more than 4,500 workers at its Alabama plant.

Honda opens $85 million logistics expansion in Alabama

Honda opened its latest expansion, a logistics operation that has added 400,000 square feet to its assembly plant in Lincoln, Ala. The new logistics facility will handle more than 4 million parts that arrive at the plant every day.

Manufacturer setting up shop near Honda’s Alabama plant

Lohr North America, a maker of car carriers, is converting an existing building in Lincoln, Ala., for a new plant. The French company will hire 140 workers in the deal.

Lear Corp. to hire 500 in Alabama

Mercedes-Benz supplier Lear Corp. is hiring 500 people to manufacture seat assemblies for Mercedes-Benz’s Vance plant.

A lawsuit over the threatened pygmy sunfish that lives in waters near the Mazda Toyota site in Alabama has been put on hold.Mazda Toyota construction continues in Huntsville as lawsuit over rare fish is put on hold

A lawsuit over the threatened pygmy sunfish that lives in waters near the Mazda Toyota site has been put on hold. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is working on designating a critical habitat to protect the tiny fish. While the legal work is underway, work is continuing on the $1.6 billion joint plant by the two Japanese automakers that will eventually house 4,000 workers.

Japanese auto supplier expanding Alabama plant with $40 million investment

Unipres Alabama plans to invest $40 million in a new hot stamping process at its production facility in St. Clair County, Ala. The move will create 70 new jobs. The company supplies products for Nissan and Honda.

ARKANSAS

Big River Steel expanding Arkansas mill

Big River Steel is investing $1.2 billion in an expansion that will double the capacity of its hot-rolled steel facility in Osceola, Ark. The expansion will facilitate the company’s ability to produce even higher grades of electrical steel, demand for which is expected to increase with continued focus on energy efficiency and the increase in hybrid and electric vehicle sales.

FLORIDA

Online retailer promises 77 new jobs for Ocala

RealTruck, an online retailer of pickup truck parts and accessories, is seeking $385,000 from the city, county and state to establish its national headquarters in Ocala. The company plans to create 77 new jobs.

GEORGIA

Auto supplier investing in Georgia

Japanese auto parts supplier Nisshinbo Automotive Manufacturing (NAMI) is investing $72 million in its copper-free brake pad plant in Covington, Ga. The project will generate 100 new jobs. 

KENTUCKY

Auto parts supplier adding jobs in Kentucky

Webasto, a sunroof manufacturer, announced in August it will invest $15 million in its panorama roof systems line at its plant in Lexington, Ky. The deal will create 183 jobs.

Bowling Green Metalforming plans $14 million expansion

Bowling Green Metalforming, a Canadian-owned automotive parts manufacturer, plans its sixth expansion since 2004 — a $14.2 million investment set to create 27 new jobs in Warren County.

DENSO Air Systems plans $3.5 million expansion in Hopkinsville

DENSO Air Systems Michigan will expand its presence in Christian County, Ky., with a $3.5 million investment creating 45 full-time jobs. The automotive components manufacturer is headquartered in Japan.

Corvac Composites plans $6.1 million investment in Morgantown, Ky.

Automotive supplier Corvac Composites will expand production in Morgantown with a $6.1 million investment expected to create 30 full-time jobs. Corvac makes automotive underbody systems.

MISSISSIPPI

Nissan to invest $170 million to upgrade Tennessee and Mississippi plants

Nashville-based Nissan North America plans to invest $170 million at its two plants in the Southern Auto Corridor. The upgrades are being done to support the Nissan Altima model that is built at both facilities.

Auto and truck parts manufacturer hiring

SMW Manufacturing, which opened in Oxford, Miss., in 2017, is expanding after starting the project with 50 jobs. Located in a former Caterpillar facility, the company makes parts for heavy truck, automotive and mining industrial markets. The $4 million deal will create 25 jobs.

Steel firm to invest $230 million in Columbus, Miss.

Steel Dynamics has announced plans to invest $230 million to upgrade its Columbus, Miss., steel mill, creating 45 jobs. The company, based in Fort Wayne, Ind., is shifting production from selling to pipe and tube makers to more lucrative customers, including auto and appliance makers.

Automotive supplier expands manufacturing in Mississippi

A German company that makes automotive parts is expanding in Tishomingo County — Hago Automotive Corp. will add 60 jobs and invest $4 million for new equipment in Iuka. By doubling the size of its existing facility, Hago Automotive will be able to meet the needs of BMW in the U.S., China and South Africa.

NORTH CAROLINA

Daimler has delivered the 50,000th model of the Freightliner Cascadia since production began 19 months ago at its plant in Rowan County, N.C. Daimler delivers 50,000th Freightliner from North Carolina plant

Germany-based Daimler AG, the company that assembles the Freightliner Cascadia, has delivered the 50,000th model of the truck since production began 19 months ago at its plant in Rowan County, N.C. Daimler Trucks North America has garnered about 40 percent of the market share of Class 6 and Class 8 long-haul trucks.

SOUTH CAROLINA

Mercedes-Benz Van plant in South Carolina now fully operational

In September, Mercedes-Benz Vans saw the first Sprinter van model come off the assembly line at the German automaker’s new plant in Ladson, S.C. Over 900 workers are housed at the $500 million plant, and as production ramps up, about 1,300 workers will be at the plant.

Michelin to reopen Earthmover tire production plant in South Carolina

A Michelin plant that was built in 2012 and idled in 2016 is expected to be back up running soon in Starr, S.C. The tire maker is expected to hire 100 workers for the reopening.

Supplier expands Upstate HQ

JTEKT North America is expanding its headquarters at the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research. The $5.8 million expansion will add at least 100 new jobs.

JW Aluminum investing $255 million in South Carolina

JW Aluminum, a manufacturer of flat-rolled aluminum products used in the automotive industry, will invest $255 million in an expansion of its existing Berkeley County operations. The facility’s growth is expected to lead to the creation of 50 new jobs.

BLG Logistics locates operations in Ladson, S.C.

Designed to support Mercedes-Benz Vans’ production operations, BLG Logistics is locating new operations in Charleston County, projected to create 28 new jobs.

Volvo to build “university” at South Carolina plant site

Volvo Car USA announced in the summer it will build Volvo Car University at its automotive assembly plant site in Berkeley County. The university will train the automaker’s dealership group and technical teams.

TENNESSEE

France-based auto supplier to locate new operation in Middle Tennessee

Faurecia Interior Systems announced it will locate a $30 million plant in Maury County, Tenn. The plant will house 143 workers.

Auto parts distributor to expand operations in Tennessee

Revel Enterprises will invest $2.3 million to expand its auto parts distribution facility in Paris, Tenn. The deal will create 64 jobs.

Truck maker Oshkosh plans new East Tennessee facility

Wisconsin-based Oshkosh, a manufacturer of fire trucks, concrete mixers and defense vehicles, announced plans to renovate the 500,000-square-foot former John Deere facility in Jefferson City, Tenn. The project will create 300 jobs.

Auto parts supplier expands in Tennessee

U.S. Tsubaki, an auto parts manufacturer, is investing over $35 million to expand its facilities in Portland, Tenn. The company, which will create 70 new jobs, is a supplier of parts to Nissan, Ford, GM and Toyota.

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