Mercedes-Benz Vans has started construction of a new $500M plant in North Charleston, South Carolina.

The new plant is an expansion of the existing 409,000sq ft van assembly site, which will cover around an additional 112,000sq m along with a 260,000sq m marshalling yard for finished vehicles.

Mercedes-Benz Vans’ head of operations Frank Klein said: "Our new Sprinter plant is a big leap into the future of production at Mercedes-Benz Vans.

"We are combining all of our global expertise and experience in this plant. In doing so, we make it one of the most advanced facilities in North America. The plant will meet the highest standards in quality, based on our globally standardized production system — from the first vehicle that rolls off the assembly line."

The facility is scheduled to commence production before the end of the decade and create 1,300 jobs in the region.

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