VANCE, Ala. — Less than two weeks ago, Mercedes-Benz announced plans to sharply increase production at its Tuscaloosa County plant over the next two years, boosting annual capacity to 300,000 vehicles from the 185,000 produced there in 2013.

On Thursday evening, the auto maker announced the first specific plans about new hires to go along with the production capacity increase. According to a report by the BBJ, Mercedes will add roughly 200 new full time jobs at their Vance production facility in 2015.

“With the continued success of our SUVs and the favorable customer response for the all-new C-Class, demand for the cars we build here in Vance is greater than ever,” said Jason Hoff, president and CEO of Mercedes-Benz U.S. International. “We are expanding our physical plant to meet that demand, and we need to build out our team with more good people.”

Newspapers will publicize the job openings around the state. Alabama Industrial Development Training (AIDT), the state’s workforce development branch, will screen applicants. The job opportunities are expected to go out in the Fall.

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