China is the Final Destination for Many Mercedes-Benz Built in Alabama

That's right - they build Mercedes-Benz in Alabama! The German auto maker has a plant in Vance Alabama where they are producing the M-Class sports utility, the R-Class and the GL-Class of Mercedes.

The Birmingham News recently reported that booming growth in the China market has led to big sales in luxury vehicles. Sales of the M-Class sports utility doubled in January and February over the same period last year.

As the Chinese seek more luxury and size in their vehicles the R-Class, which has a very spacious and comfortable back seat, is gaining in popularity.

Jesse Toprak, vice president of industrial trends and insights for True-Car.com was quoted as saying "They're (the Chinese) very focused on symbols of wealth and that pushes them toward known luxury bands like Benz and BMW."Growth is so strong that sales are increasing in inland areas as well as big cities. Toprak continued to say that China has now become the world's largest auto market for all kinds of automakers.

China was the 11^th largest auto market in 2006. Today it is the 4^th largest behind Germany, the United States and the United Kingdom according to Trevor Hale, head of communications for Mercedes parent Daimler's northeast Asia operation.

Last year Mercedes sold 4,776 R-class crossovers in China, compared to 2825 in the united States. China sales of the M-Class and GL-Class combined totaled 6461 while US sales of these vehicles totaled 40,811.

The Vance Alabama plant cost Mercedes over $1 billion and employs about 300 people.. About 60% of the plants' output is exported.

Though the recession had slowed production recent boosts in the demand from China have helped to increase the plants' workload according to Felyicia Jerald, a spokesperson for the Vance plant.

But Mercedes is not the only auto maker that has found its way to Alabama. The Korean automaker Hyundai produces the Sonata and Santa Fe in Montgomery and Honda produces the Ridgeline, Odyssey and Pilot in Lincoln Alabama. Both Mercedes and Hyundai have seen their 1 millionth vehicle roll off the assembly line in Alabama.