Mercedes-Benz & Syrah

Currently, Mercedes-Benz builds the GLE, GLS and GLE coupe in Tuscaloosa, Alabama:







The company will be producing it's EQ branded SUVs for US demand in Alabama from 2020:



"... a battery plant will also be built near the existing passenger-car plant ensuring availability of cutting-edge technology for future generations of Mercedes-Benz vehicles built in the U.S." (Page 1)

"Thanks to our plant modernization in Tuscaloosa, we will be able to quickly ramp up U.S. production of EQ models" (Page 2)

"Mercedes-Benz will start producing SUV models of the EQ brand in Tuscaloosa at the beginning of the next decade" (Page 3).

"By 2022, the company will electrify the entire portfolio of Mercedes, offering customers at least one electrified alternative in all segments from smart to large SUVs. The company is planning to offer more than 50 electrified vehicle variants" (Page 3)

"The first EQ series model, EQC, will go into production in 2019 in Bremen, Germany." (Page 3)

"Fifth Mercedes-Benz factory to produce batteries: The battery factory near plant Tuscaloosa will be part of the global battery production network of Mercedes-Benz Cars for local demand and export. In total, Daimler will invest $1.18 billion (more than one billion Euros) in the battery production network, which will also include production facilities in Germany and China. As in vehicle production, the battery production network will react flexibly and efficiently to market demand. This strategy ensures the ongoing availability of modern battery technology through local production hubs in Europe, China and the U.S. and puts Mercedes-Benz in a highly competitive position for its electric initiative. Construction work for the new one million square-foot facility in Tuscaloosa is expected to begin in 2018, with operations planned to start at the beginning of the next decade." (Page 4)

Markus Schaefer (head of production and planning) displayed the batteries that will be produced in Alabama:



Youtube link

So to summarise:

1) Batteries for Mercedes-Benz electric vehicles in the USA will be produced in Alabama, USA from 2020;
2) Initially they will be utilised for the USA EQ models from 2020 and for the entire fleet from 2022 because every model will have an electric variant.
3) The batteries will be lithium-ion requiring spherical graphite in the anode.
4) Syrah Resources will be producing large quantities of spherical graphite by 2020.

Inferential Conclusion:
Syrah is a pure play on Mercedes-Benz electric vehicle demand in the United States.


Awesome: