Buckle Up: Alabama auto industry accelerates growth (Video)
Alabama’s auto industry is on a hot streak, with record production numbers, rising investment, expanded hiring, and redesigned models rolling off the assembly lines. Last year alone, the auto industry added around 6,500 jobs and $3 billion in new investment in the state, according to a preliminary analysis of data in the Alabama Department of…
American Airlines gets its first Alabama-made Airbus A321
MOBILE, Alabama — American Airlines today claimed its first Alabama-made Airbus A321 passenger jet after a ceremony at the manufacturer’s production facility at Mobile Aeroplex. The A321 sporting American’s logo and colors is the second aircraft to leave the assembly line at Airbus’ new $600 million Alabama plant. The first – named “BluesMobile” — went…
Austal launches USS Manchester (LCS 14) at Alabama shipyard
MOBILE, Alabama – Austal USA launched the future USS Manchester – an advanced, high-speed aluminum warship – at its Alabama shipyard today, documenting the milestone with a series of images on social media. The tri-hull Manchester (LCS 14) is the fifth littoral combat ship produced by Austal’s Mobile shipyard in an 11-ship contract, which worth…
Launch Party: Honda starts Ridgeline mass production
LINCOLN, Alabama — The redesigned, Alabama-built Honda Ridgeline pickup is now rolling on the automaker’s Talladega County assembly lines. The 4,500-worker plant today officially marked the start of production for the 2017 model, with a lineoff celebration that featured more than 1,500 cheering employees. “Today we celebrate the dedication of our Alabama team in bringing…
UTC Aerospace Systems to add 260 jobs with Alabama expansion
FOLEY, Alabama – UTC Aerospace Systems announced plans today to expand its Baldwin County aerostructures plant with a new $30 million facility that will supply jet engine systems to the Airbus A320 Family assembly line in Mobile, creating 260 jobs. At a groundbreaking ceremony today at its Foley site, UTC revealed plans to construct a…
Germany’s Berghoff Group to open Alabama production facility
HANNOVER, Germany – The Berghoff Group announced plans today to set up its first U.S. manufacturing plant in Auburn, where it will invest $30 million and create 100 precision-machining jobs over the next five years. John Emerson, the U.S. Ambassador to Germany, announced the deal today at the 2016 Hannover Messe, the world’s largest industrial…
First Alabama-made Airbus A321 ‘BluesMobile’ goes to JetBlue
MOBILE, Alabama – Airbus marked a major milestone at its new Alabama manufacturing facility today as the aviation giant delivered its first U.S.-made A321 passenger jet to customer JetBlue. The plane, which flew for first time on March 21, was nicknamed “BluesMobile.” Workers from the Alabama final assembly line joined the plane on the tarmac…
Auto supplier Mando launching $19 million Alabama expansion
OPELIKA, Alabama – Mando America Corp. plans to invest $19 million in its Alabama manufacturing operation and hire 32 new workers to support the expansion, officials said Tuesday night. South Korea-based Mando, one of the world’s largest auto parts suppliers, has based its North American headquarters in Opelika, where it makes brake components, suspension modules…
Alabama firm unveils new high-performance pickups
A Trussville-based specialty vehicle manufacturer has debuted the latest versions of an off-road, high-performance pickup that’s a key part of its product lineup. SCA Performance is rolling out to dealers the redesigned 2016 Black Widow, which is built on both the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra platforms. Features of the new Black Widow include a…
Honda debuts redesigned Alabama-made Acura MDX
Honda debuted a redesigned 2017 Acura MDX luxury sport utility at the New York International Auto Show, making it the latest in a string of new or updated models joining production lines in Alabama. The all-new MDX, which will be built at Honda’s manufacturing plant in Talladega County, is expected to arrive in dealer showrooms…
