Daimler said it will invest an additional $1 billion in its U.S. factory here, expanding the 20-year-old site to build full-electric SUVs for its EQ sub-brand along, with their battery packs.The expansion is part of Daimler's strategic plan to electrify its entire range of Mercedes-Benz light vehicles by 2022, offering customers at least one electrified alternative in each segment to bring its total to more than 50 electrified vehicles.It also takes place as German automakers have been the target of criticism from President Donald Trump over what he has said are unfair trade practices, singling out the success of Mercedes and rival BMW in the U.S. market as evidence."With production locations for EVs and batteries in Europe, China and now the U.S., our global network is ready for the era of electric vehicles," said Markus Schaefer, member of the divisional board of Mercedes-Benz Cars responsible for production and supply chain. "Thanks to our plant modernization in Tuscaloosa, we will be able to quickly ramp up U.S. production of EQ models."

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