Mercedes-Benz Vans just had a groundbreaking ceremony for its Sprinter plant in North Charleston, South Carolina on July 27, 2016. The event was attended by distinguished guests.

The move is in line with the effort of the company to keep their good momentum going in the North American market. It should be noted that Mercedes delivered about 28,600 Sprinter units in the United States of America in 2015.

According to Daimler, the company invested approximately 500 million US dollars for the new plant. The facility is expected to create around 1,300 jobs. On the other hand, suppliers are estimated to make 400 jobs available in North Charleston.

The project will come in three phases. The first is the body shop construction of the new plant. Then it will be followed by the paint shop and the assembly lines later this year. The facility will also house the production of the next-generation Sprinter. The new van will be made available before the end of the decade.

Among the notable personalities who graced the event were Nikki Haley, Governor of South Carolina; Volker Mornhinweg, Head of Mercedes-Benz Vans; and Michael Balke, incoming CEO of Mercedes-Benz Vans.

Balke revealed that they have already commenced the recruitment and training of the plant’s core team in the administration. Technical specialists were hired in the process too. By the middle of 2017, he said Mercedes will start accepting applicants for the production job.

The new plant covers 409,000 square feet. It will have around 1.1 million square feet as well to accommodate the marshaling yard for finished vans.