Mercedes Could Delay US GLC Production Until 2030, Report Says

GLC assembly at the Vance, Alabama plant reportedly now begins in May 2030, extending import tariffs instead of starting local output in 2027.

Photo by: Mercedes-Benz

By: Brian Potter

Nov 4, at 7:33am ET

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Update: This story has been updated with a statement from Mercedes-Benz.

Mercedes-Benz could be pushing back a major US production plan by roughly thirty months. The automaker is reportedly considering delaying the start of GLC compact crossover assembly at its Vance, Alabama plant from late 2027 to May 2030, according to a report by Automotive News citing people familiar with the plans.

However, Mercedes-Benz has not officially confirmed the reported change. The same applies to the production targets and other details surrounding the reported delay. We reached out to Mercedes-Benz, and a spokesperson told us:

'At this time, we're not providing an update on production timing or allocation of an individual future model. Our commitment to Tuscaloosa and our planned US investment of $7 billion through 2030 has not changed.'

The reported plans concern the next-generation GLC, which Mercedes is expected to add to its Alabama production lineup. The current model is already built in Europe for several markets, while Mercedes also manufactures other SUVs at its Vance facility, including the GLE and GLS.

Mercedes-Benz GLC Production Could Be Delayed Until May 2030

Mercedes.Benz GLE and GLS production in Tuscaloosa Alabama

Photo by: Mercedes-Benz

The original production schedule reportedly called for the next-generation GLC to start rolling out of Alabama in the fourth quarter of 2027. According to Automotive News, that timeline could now move to May 2030.

If accurate, the change would represent a delay of more than two and a half years, potentially leaving the US market dependent on imported GLC models for longer than initially expected.

The reported delay comes after Mercedes and Alabama officials announced plans in spring 2026 for approximately $4 billion in investment at the Vance facility. The proposed expansion was linked to future SUV programs, reportedly including the GLC alongside updated GLE and GLS models.

Previous reports also suggested that expanded production could eventually push the plant's annual output beyond 280,000 vehicles. The GLC was reportedly expected to account for approximately 50,000 units during its first 12 months of US production.

However, neither the reported production timeline nor these volume projections have been officially confirmed by Mercedes-Benz.

Vance has been building Mercedes SUVs since the 1990s, making it a logical location for any future expansion of GLC production in the United States. Whether the reported delay will affect the automaker's broader investment plans remains unclear.

The company expects to build around 50,000 GLCs in the first 12 months of the new US line once it starts, though it has not tied that figure to a specific calendar year.

How US Tariffs Could Affect Mercedes GLC Imports

Mercedes.Benz GLE and GLS production in Tuscaloosa Alabama

Photo by: Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz has not provided an official explanation for the reported production delay. Automotive News' reporting does not establish a definitive reason for the potential change, so it would be premature to attribute it directly to tariffs or other business considerations.

Nevertheless, a delay of this scale could have financial implications for Mercedes. If expanded US production does not begin until 2030, the automaker could remain dependent on European-built GLC imports for several additional years.

Those vehicles are potentially subject to the 15 percent combined tariff currently applied to passenger vehicles imported from the European Union under the U.S.-EU trade framework. For a vehicle built in the hundreds of thousands annually, the exposure compounds with each model year the delay stretches on.

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Mercedes continues building other US-market models domestically at Vance, including the EQE and EQS SUVs, and in South Carolina with the Sprinter van.

For now, however, the reported GLC production delay remains unconfirmed. Until Mercedes-Benz provides an official statement, the proposed May 2030 start date and the other reported production figures should be treated with caution.