Report: Mercedes-Benz and Toyota plants halted by tornado outage

[HighestOfHigh]

Tornadoes are wreaking havoc in the southern United States, causing Mercedes-Benz and Toyota to put the brakes on production at each of their respective Alabama manufacturing facilities. Mercedes-Benz builds GL-Class, M-Class and R-Class vehicles in Tuscaloosa, while Toyota's Huntsville plant produces V6 and V8 engines for the Tundra and Tacoma pickup trucks and the Sequoia sport utility vehicle.

Both facilities are closed at the moment, and power outages are affecting many areas in the South. Reps for Toyota and Mercedes have stated that their plants will remain closed through the weekend.

- Mercedes-Benz and Toyota plants halted by tornado outage

 

[Padi]

Toyota has gone through much $hit lately, a year ago the massive recall 'cause of the brakes, Japan and now this. This is a relatively small drawback though but anyway.

 

[Gullwing]

Well over 300 people confirmed dead from these storms.

 

[Kowalski]

Damn nature, you scary!

 

[Wolfgang]

Mercedes-Benz M-Class built in Alabama

Mercedes' Alabama operations, Daimler AG to donate $1 million for tornado relief

By Dawn Kent -- The Birmingham News

The Alabama operations of Mercedes-Benz, along with its parent company, Daimler AG, plan to donate $1 million for relief efforts in the state following Wednesday's deadly tornado outbreak.

The German automaker is splitting the donation among several organizations, including $800,000 for the Tuscaloosa Disaster Relief Fund, $75,000 for The Salvation Army of Greater Birmingham, $75,000 for the Birmingham area chapter of the American Red Cross and $50,000 for the United Way of Central Alabama.

"Our deepest sympathy is with the casualties and their families," Wilfried Porth, a member of Daimler's board of management, said in a prepared statement. "With our donation, we hope to support the emergency and reconstruction projects and to help the Alabama community begin on this path to recovery."

The Mercedes factory in Vance is just outside Tuscaloosa, where a tornado killed dozens Wednesday afternoon.

The factory itself was damaged early Wednesday morning in a separate line of severe weather that included a tornado. The damage was minor, according to plant officials, and no one was injured.

Markus Schaefer, head of the Vance plant, said everyone is still shocked by the magnitude of the destruction in Tuscaloosa and across the state.

"This is a tragedy, and our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by the disaster," he said in a prepared statement. "The priority for anyone who can help is now to reach out to them."

Mercedes shut down the Vance plant Wednesday morning, and it was idled for the remainder of the week. Production started back on Monday.

Other Daimler-affiliated businesses also have provided vehicles for the cleanup efforts.

Mercedes' Alabama operations, Daimler AG to donate $1 million for tornado relief | al.com

 

[K-A]

Very sad. Good for M-B for stepping up and helping out!