Adam Chamberlain unveils the Mercedes-Benz AG AMG GLE 63 S sport utility vehicle (SUV) ahead of the Los Angeles Auto Show in Los Angeles, California, U.S., last fall. The Alabama plant is the only maker of the luxury GLE and GLS sport utility vehicles for the world market.
Photographer: Patrick T. Fallon/BloombergAs Virus Raged, China Snapped Up Luxury Cars Made in America
Most U.S. states saw their exports to China fall so far this year
A raging pandemic, lockdowns and continued trade tensions didn’t curb China’s enthusiasm for some U.S.-built luxury cars.
Alabama’s auto exports to China in the first quarter soared more than 170% from a year ago, Greg Canfield, the state’s secretary of commerce, said in an interview. Three foreign automakers — Honda, Hyundai and Daimler’s Mercedes-Benz — operate assembly plants in the state, which hasn’t yet broken down the Chinese exports for each company. Together they produce about 1 million vehicles a year in Alabama for domestic sales and export, Canfield said.