Mercedes-Benz is in the process of purchasing the Chrysler Pacifica Advanced Design studios facility, Car Design News has been told.

According to our source, the current Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design of North America team, located north of Carlsbad in Irvine, California, will be relocating to the Carlsbad facility as soon as Aug 1 this year.

Our source also confirms that Mercedes plans to expand its staff and build full-size models at this facility.

As we reported in March, Chrysler announced the closure of its Pacifica Advanced Design Studios in Carlsbad, California, stating that the company was "leveraging resources worldwide, forming new joint ventures and alliances and consolidating operations in order to better achieve global balance".

Newly appointed Mercedes-Benz Head of Design Gorden Wagener will be heading back to Germany to take on his new duties at the time of the Advanced Design Studio's relocation.

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