Daimler Extends SUV Assembly to India, Indonesia, Thailand

German carmaker Daimler AG (IW 1000/18) said it will assemble its sport-utility vehicles at production sites in India, Indonesia and Thailand.

"Our new SUVs are very popular with our customers. We expect high growth rates also in the emerging markets and are therefore extending our local production," said board member Wolfgang Bernhard. "That will enable us to open up new potential as part of our growth strategy."

It will be the first time that Daimler will build its new Mercedes-Benz M and GL models outside its main SUV plant in Tuscaloosa, Ala., according to the company.

Assembly of the M-class models will begin in India, Indonesia and Thailand this year, with the GL class following next year in India and Indonesia.

Up until now, those production sites have been used to make the group's C, E and S models.

Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2012