Mercedes-Benz U.S. International and Mercedes-Benz U.S.A. are becoming the title sponsors of the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater, city officials announced yesterday.
The brand’s three-pointed star will soon be showcased inside and outside the building that will be renamed The Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater.
MBUSI has been among the amphitheater’s sponsors since the venue opened in 2011 and has hosted numerous employee events at the venue.
“We have thoroughly enjoyed our partnership with the amphitheater for more than a decade and we are eager to take our collaboration to a new level,” said MBUSI President and CEO Michael Goebel. “We are especially excited to connect our brand to the overall plan for the Saban Center and the City’s Elevate Tuscaloosa Initiative. These projects are transformational, and they offer great promise and opportunity for Tuscaloosa’s future.”
Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox said the amphitheater was built to serve as a legacy for the city and to create economic development opportunities. “This extended partnership with Mercedes-Benz is a great next step, and I’m excited to see the continued growth of the amphitheater, riverfront and city center because of great community partners,” said Maddox.
The amphitheater sits directly across from the Saban Center, which is under construction. The Saban Center is supported by and named for Alabama football coach Nick Saban and his wife, Terry. The center will bring together community, the Children’s Hands-On Museum and the Tuscaloosa Children’s Theatre under one roof. Part of the city’s Elevate Tuscaloosa Initiative, The Saban Center will bring STEAM programs together with theater, literature, outdoor recreation and interactive learning for children and families to Tuscaloosa. Mercedes-Benz U.S. International produces the GLE and GLS SUVs and the GLE Coupe, as well as the Mercedes-Maybach GLS for all global markets. In addition, the plant recently launched the all-electric EQE SUV, EQS SUV and the Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV, all at its location in Vance, just next to Tuscaloosa. MBUSI also has a battery factory in Bibb County, part of its global goal to produce all-electric vehicles.
