Urvaksh Karkaria

Honda’s current U.S. factories in Ohio, Indiana, and Alabama operate at 85 percent of their 1.2 million total vehicle capacity, according to Global Data.

The 2027 Mercedes-Maybach GLS 680 is expected in showrooms in the fourth quarter.

The vehicle, positioned above the midsize MDX, is scheduled to enter production in September 2029 at a plant in Alabama, people with knowledge of Honda’s production plans told Automotive News.

Luis Guerra, the Central Region sales director, will head Honda brand sales as Jessika Laudermilk moves to Acura.

The Accord SUV would build on Honda’s shift to hybrids. Several Honda nameplates are expected to go hybrid-only by 2031, including the CR-V, Accord, Pilot, Ridgeline and Odyssey.

To blunt U.S. tariff exposure, Mercedes will begin building its bestselling GLC crossover in Vance, Ala., in the coming years.

CEO Ola Källenius said the company’s two Chinese shareholders pose no governance risk and that Mercedes is prepared to adapt to stay in the world’s second-largest market.

The German luxury brand is planning 36 new or significantly updated models worldwide by the end of 2027, with more than half keeping combustion engines.

Priced in the high $40,000s, the new model to be imported from Slovakia is taller and longer than the EX40, which starts at $56,545 with shipping.

Volvo will build at least 20,000 XC60 crossovers at its South Carolina factory early next year. U.S. production will be limited to the mild-hybrid version, according to a person with knowledge of the plan.