Mercedes production continues in Ala. despite UAW strike against ZF axle plant
In Vance, Mercedes builds the GLS SUV, GLE midsize crossover and GLE Coupe, in addition to the EQE electric crossover and EQS electric SUV, according to the Automotive News Data Center. The GLE was Mercedes’ second-highest-selling model in the U.S. during the first half of the year, trailing only the Sprinter van.
Requests for comment from Mercedes spokespeople were not immediately returned. Previously, the company said it was “monitoring the situation” at ZF.
Like the UAW’s larger strike against the Detroit 3, workers at ZF are striking over issues pertaining to wages and health care coverage. A top priority for the union with both actions is ending the tiered-wage system — a longtime point of contention between the UAW and auto companies.
Sapienza said on Friday that ZF “submitted an offer to the union that we believe is both fair and competitive and will continue to negotiate in good faith.”
Representatives for UAW Local 2083, which represents unionized ZF workers in Tuscaloosa, could not be reached for comment.
ZF, based in Friedrichshafen, Germany, ranks No. 3 on the Automotive News list of the top 100 global suppliers with worldwide sales to automakers of $42.1 billion in 2022.
