Mercedes-Benz Establishes Atlanta as North American Headquarters, Announces Major R&D Investment and Corporate Expansion
Mercedes-Benz has revealed a significant strategic expansion in the United States, choosing Atlanta, Georgia, as the company’s new North American headquarters. This move involves relocating key corporate functions from Farmington Hills, Michigan, to the company’s existing 1MB facility in Sandy Springs, a northern suburb of Atlanta. Alongside this corporate consolidation, Mercedes-Benz is committing a multi-million dollar investment to develop a cutting-edge Research & Development (R&D) hub in the Metro Atlanta area. This new hub will unite various technical teams previously spread across different U.S. locations into a centralized, state-of-the-art innovation center.
The expansion will bring as many as 500 new roles to the Atlanta region, further strengthening Mercedes-Benz’s presence in the city and its surrounding communities. The company currently employs around 800 people in Atlanta, meaning this expansion will nearly double its workforce locally. The relocation and investment are expected to be completed by August 2026.
Jason Hoff, CEO of Mercedes-Benz North America, emphasized the importance of this development for the company’s future in the region. “We are excited to deepen our roots in the Atlanta area by bringing even more talented team members to this world-class city,” Hoff said. “This expansion reinforces our commitment to the U.S. market and positions us for continued growth. Bringing our teams closer together will enhance agility, speed to market, and ultimately ensure the best customer experience for our clients.”
Why Atlanta? Strategic Advantages and Local Support
Mercedes-Benz’s decision to expand in Atlanta is backed by strong support from the State of Georgia and reflects the city’s growing reputation as a hub for mobility innovation and technology. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp lauded the announcement, highlighting how the state continues to attract leading companies in the automotive and tech industries. “Georgia continues to lead the way in the future of mobility and technical innovation, attracting world-class companies like Mercedes-Benz that are driving the automotive industry forward,” said Kemp. “We’re proud that Mercedes-Benz, a job creator with strong ties to Georgia, is doubling down on its presence here in the best state for business and opportunity.”
Atlanta’s vibrant business ecosystem, combined with its access to a highly skilled engineering and technical workforce, is a critical factor in Mercedes-Benz’s decision. The region’s proximity to renowned educational institutions such as the Georgia Institute of Technology offers a steady pipeline of engineering talent and opportunities for partnerships in research, innovation, and workforce development. Additionally, the area’s burgeoning startup scene and established technology sectors provide fertile ground for collaboration and technology transfer.
Centralizing Corporate and Technical Functions
This expansion is part of Mercedes-Benz’s broader strategy to optimize its operations in the United States by co-locating teams that were previously scattered across different sites. Financial services and corporate functions currently based in Farmington Hills will be moved to the Sandy Springs facility, where sales teams are already headquartered. This consolidation will improve communication and collaboration across the company’s business units.
Moreover, technical teams from various U.S. locations will be brought together in a newly established Research & Development hub near Sandy Springs. This investment is aimed at fostering innovation, accelerating product development, and enhancing technical capabilities. The R&D hub will focus on advancing Mercedes-Benz’s vehicle technologies, including electrification, digitalization, and autonomous driving systems, aligning with the company’s vision for the future of mobility.
By co-locating R&D with customer lifecycle and corporate functions, Mercedes-Benz intends to streamline workflows and create a more integrated approach to vehicle design, development, and customer service. This integrated structure is expected to enable faster decision-making, improve product quality, and enhance customer satisfaction.
Continued U.S. Commitment and Manufacturing Investments
The Atlanta expansion comes on the heels of another major announcement from Mercedes-Benz regarding its manufacturing footprint in the U.S. The company recently confirmed plans to bring production of its popular GLC SUV model to its Tuscaloosa, Alabama, facility. This decision further underscores Mercedes-Benz’s commitment to manufacturing and investment in the United States, highlighting the importance of the American market to the company’s global strategy.
Last year, Mercedes-Benz sold approximately 374,100 vehicles in the U.S., encompassing both passenger cars and vans. The U.S. market remains a vital region for the luxury automaker, representing one of its largest sales territories worldwide. The company directly employs around 11,100 people across the country, with roughly 8,000 of those roles in manufacturing operations. Additionally, Mercedes-Benz supports an estimated 112,000 jobs through its network of suppliers, service providers, and business partners.
The expansion in Atlanta will not only create jobs directly within the company but will also have positive ripple effects throughout the region’s economy, strengthening local supply chains and fostering innovation in adjacent industries.
A Vision for Innovation and Growth
With this strategic expansion, Mercedes-Benz aims to position itself at the forefront of the rapidly evolving automotive landscape. The new Atlanta-based R&D hub will be pivotal in driving forward key technological initiatives, including electric vehicle development, software integration, and next-generation mobility solutions.
The consolidation of corporate, financial, sales, and technical teams into a unified headquarters is expected to increase operational efficiency and responsiveness, enabling Mercedes-Benz to better meet the demands of U.S. consumers and accelerate the delivery of innovative products and services.
As the automotive industry undergoes transformative changes driven by electrification, autonomous driving, and connectivity, Mercedes-Benz’s investment in Atlanta signals its commitment to leading these advancements in the U.S. market. The company’s deepened presence in Georgia aligns with its broader goal of fostering a sustainable, tech-driven future while creating lasting economic benefits for the region.
Mercedes-Benz’s announcement to establish Atlanta as its North American headquarters and invest heavily in a new R&D hub marks a major milestone in the company’s U.S. strategy. This move strengthens the company’s operational footprint, enhances collaboration across teams, and positions it to capitalize on the region’s abundant technical talent and innovation ecosystem.
Supported by the State of Georgia and embraced by the local community, Mercedes-Benz is set to deepen its roots in Atlanta, driving growth, innovation, and job creation. This strategic expansion reaffirms the company’s long-term commitment to the U.S. market and underscores its vision to shape the future of mobility through technology and customer-centric solutions.
