TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Officials with automaker Mercedes-Benz say they plan to add a totally new sport utility vehicle model to its production line in Alabama.

The Tuscaloosa News reports (http://bit.ly/12xeGcO) that the new model will most likely be added in 2015.

Dieter Zetsche, chairman of the company's parent firm, Daimler A.G., told shareholders meeting this week in Stuttgart, Germany, that the fifth model destined for Mercedes' sole U.S. auto assembly would be an SUV.

Mercedes officials previously have said that a fifth so-called mystery vehicle would be added to its Alabama production line in 2015, but they have not previously said what type of vehicle it would be.

Zetsche said at the annual meeting that preparations for production of another SUV are being made at its plant in Vance, about 20 miles east of Tuscaloosa.