News
20 years ago, Alabama’s auto industry started rolling with first M-Class
TUSCALOOSA, Alabama – Twenty years ago today, the first customer-ready M-Class SUVs began rolling off the Mercedes-Benz auto assembly line in Tuscaloosa County, launching new eras for both the automaker and the state of Alabama. For Mercedes, the M-Class was the first mass market SUV, and its success helped spin off a full range of…
Florence culinary incubator stirs entrepreneurship dreams
FLORENCE, Alabama – Entrepreneurs looking to break into the highly competitive food industry have found invaluable tools and support in northwest Alabama. The Florence-based Shoals Entrepreneurial Center is home to a culinary incubator that offers a fully equipped, FDA-approved commercial kitchen for fledgling startups to rent at reasonable rates. Beyond that, the center’s staff provides…
Tuskegee researchers’ discovery could protect food supply
TUSKEGEE, Alabama – Researchers at Tuskegee University’s College of Veterinary Medicine have been awarded a patent for a faster and more efficient way to detect live bacteria that could contaminate the nation’s food supply. U.S Patent No. 9434976 was issued for the rapid and more reliable detection of viable foodborne, biothreat pathogens and other infectious…
Milestone: Airbus Engineering celebrates decade in Alabama
MOBILE, Alabama – Airbus today marked a major milestone in Alabama as it celebrated the 10-year anniversary of the engineering operation that was the forerunner to its aircraft manufacturing facility here. Employees of Airbus Engineering were joined by state and local leaders to recognize the success of the Airbus Engineering Center in Mobile. “Our success…
Zyp BikeShare adds ‘grab and go’ way to travel in Birmingham
Hundreds of bright green bicycles have collectively logged nearly 100,000 miles crisscrossing Birmingham, as the city’s new bike sharing system has become a hit with residents and visitors alike. Zyp BikeShare, an initiative of REV Birmingham that launched in October 2015, gives riders a new way to make a quick trip to the grocery store,…
Honda’s redesigned Alabama-made Odyssey takes center stage at Detroit auto show
DETROIT, Michigan — Honda today introduced the world to the latest version of its Odyssey minivan, a top-selling model that is produced at the company’s Alabama factory. The redesigned 2018 Odyssey, unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, raises the stakes for family-friendly packaging, performance and technology in the minivan segment, said…
Alabama-built Honda Ridgeline wins 2017 ‘Truck of the Year’ award
DETROIT, Michigan — The Alabama-built Honda Ridgeline pickup has been named the 2017 North American Truck of the Year. The award was announced this morning at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The Ridgeline bested two other finalists: the Ford F-series Super Duty and the Nissan Titan. In accepting the award, John Mendel, executive vice president of…
RECORD YEAR: Alabama auto production accelerates to all-time high in 2016
Alabama’s auto production climbed to a new record high in 2016, as workers at the state’s three auto assembly plants kept up a brisk pace of building SUVs, pickups and sedans for markets around the world. The Alabama factories of Honda, Hyundai and Mercedes-Benz combined to produce at least 1,048,597 vehicles, according to year-end figures…
Alabama makers help business recruiters tell state’s story in unique way
When it comes to courting new and expanding companies, Alabama’s business recruiters don’t have to look far for help. They often turn to local artists, manufacturers and other makers when they want a special gift for company officials or international dignitaries, and they have plenty of options to choose from. From delicate blown glass sculptures…
Alabama auto industry drives into new era with brainpower jobs, deeper skills
As Alabama’s auto industry has grown over the past two decades, so have the jobs and the sophisticated skill sets required to keep production humming. The majority of the positions at the state’s three auto assembly plants are in production, but the automakers have also built up their ranks of other highly-skilled professionals. At Honda…