Mercedes-Benz's GLC SUV nears China launch

Mercedes-Benz's first locally produced GLC midsized sport utility vehicle hit the assembly line on Thursday and is slated to launch next month at the Guangzhou Auto Show.

The model is being produced at Beijing Benz Automotive Co Ltd's newly built MRA II plant. The company is a joint venture between BAIC Motor, Daimler AG and Daimler Greater China. "This year marks the 10th anniversary for BBAC. The company has made historical breakthroughs in sales, platform construction, product introduction and improvements in manufacturing capacity," said Xu Heyi, chairman of BAIC Group and BBAC. BBAC launched the GLA compact SUV in April and the long-wheelbase C-Class last year. Sales for the company have growth significantly despite the nation's sluggish auto market.

Total sales for BBAC through the first nine months reached higher than 175,000 units, up 71 percent year-on-year, the company said.

Hubertus Troska, member of the board of management at Daimler AG, said BBAC is holding strong to its customer-first approach amid China's new normal model of economic growth.

"It is providing the best products and that are locally produced. The new GLC SUV is just the latest proof of the tremendous development of our local production footprint. It meets Daimler's globally renowned production standards in every respect, and we believe it will certainly continue the success of our SUV lineup in China, helping us to keep our strong momentum here."

A replacement of the GLK, GLC made its global debut at the Frankfort Auto Show last month.

(China Daily 11/02/2015 page19)