Daimler spending $500 million for van plant in South Carolina; will create 1,300 jobs

Daimler AG says it will spend about $500 million and create 1,300 jobs with a new plant near Charleston that will build its Sprinter vans.

The company issued a news release Friday morning. It is making the formal announcement at the existing plant in Ladson, which is about 30 miles from Charleston.

Currently, the Ladson plant assembles vans under the Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner brands from parts made overseas and shipped to this country in kits.

Construction on the new plant is supposed to start in 2016.