News
Alabama exports surging in unexpected corners of the world
MONTGOMERY, Alabama – It’s clear that 2016 was a stellar year for Alabama exports, with rising shipments in a number of markets worldwide, signaling even more optimism for the future. The top five destinations for state goods and services – Canada, China, Germany, Mexico and the United Kingdom – remained relatively unchanged from 2015 and…
Honda Alabama expansion project launches with $85M first phase
LINCOLN, Alabama — Honda continues to build on its massive investment in Alabama and today announced a plan to spend an additional $85 million at its Talladega County auto manufacturing plant. The money will be used for the first of a multi-phase project to improve vehicle manufacturing flexibility, strengthen logistics efficiency for future models, and…
Airbus lifts employees’ lives, transforms Alabama industry
MOBILE, Alabama – When the first Alabama-made Airbus A321 passenger jet took to the skies on its maiden flight a year ago, the pride in the air was palpable. Company executives cheered the creation of a new center for commercial airplane production in the U.S., while state leaders hailed the launch of Alabama’s aerospace industry…
Alabama Launchpad expands reach with new regional competitions
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama — The startup competition that has pumped millions of dollars into innovative companies across Alabama is poised to accelerate its impact. Alabama Launchpad, a program of the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama, is looking for communities that want to replicate the statewide competition on a local level. EDPA is accepting requests for proposals…
Hyundai marks 5 million Alabama-built engines — and counting
MONTGOMERY, Alabama – Hyundai today celebrated the production of its 5 millionth Alabama-made engine, a key milestone for the company’s Montgomery auto operations. The event comes less than 12 years after the plant assembled its first Lambda six-cylinder engine in May 2005. Hyundai says its engine shops achieved this milestone faster than any other engine…
Study: Toyota engine plant supports 9,700 Alabama jobs
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama – Global automaker Toyota is a key contributor to Alabama’s economy, supporting an estimated 9,700 jobs at its Huntsville engine factory and its suppliers and spinoff operations. Those findings are part of a new study by the Center for Automotive Research, which also shows that one out of every 200 workers in Alabama…
8 companies grab 2017 Alabama trade awards for exporting success
MONTGOMERY, Alabama – Eight companies from across Alabama were honored today with 2017 Governor’s Trade Excellence Awards for their achievements in exporting goods and services around the world. Lt. Governor Kay Ivey presented the awards during a ceremony at the state Capitol, which was followed by a luncheon hosted by the Export Alabama Alliance. The…
GLOBAL POWER: Alabama engine operations fill key role for automakers
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama – Alabama is not only one of the top producers of vehicles in the U.S., it’s also a major source of the power under their hoods. Last year, state manufacturers combined to turn out more than 1.75 million engines, and those assembly lines continue to achieve new milestones this year. Leading the pack…
HISTORY: Alabama auto production races past 10 million mark
There’s no question 2016 was a banner year for Alabama’s auto industry, in more ways than one. For one thing, workers at the Alabama facilities of Mercedes-Benz, Honda and Hyundai combined to build more than 1 million vehicles for the second consecutive year and reached a new record high output. But another major milestone was…
Mercedes held keys to start Alabama auto industry boom
TUSCALOOSA, Alabama – In the 20 years since Mercedes-Benz began producing the M-Class SUV in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama’s auto industry has roared to life in communities across the state. Vehicle production has steadily risen to make Alabama one of the Top 5 auto-producing states in the U.S. Last year, for the second year in a…