Mercedes-Benz Rolls Out First EQS SUVs In The USA
Mercedes-Benz officially announced the start of production of its all-electric EQS SUV at its plant in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Earlier this year, the German automaker announced the vehicle – its first electric SUV – and promised it would be built in the US and go on sale this fall.
The five-passenger EQS SUV is based on Mercedes’ largest utility vehicle, the GLS, and relies on the same modular architecture used for Mercedes’ flagship EQS and EQE midsize sedans. Using a common platform allows the automaker to quickly scale operations.
The optional third row increases the SUV’s seating capacity to seven, making the EQS SUV one of the largest all-electric SUVs in the popular full-size SUV category. It features MBUX Hyperscreen, a system of three screens that merge under scratch-resistant glass to form a single 56-inch display.
The SUV will be produced in two versions: the base model EQS 450+ with a capacity of 335 hp. and a high-performance version of the EQS 580 4MATIC with 536 hp. WLTP estimates it can travel over 372 miles on a full battery charge.
So far, automotive companies and suppliers have announced investments of more than $38 billion through 2026 to boost U.S. battery production, according to AlixPartners. Key projects include Panasonic’s $4 billion battery plant in Kansas, set to become one of the largest lithium-ion battery plants in the world, and Hyundai’s $5.5 billion electric vehicle and battery plant in Georgia.
