Mercedes-Benz launches All New GLC SUV

Automaker rolls out a powerful product lineup

Mercedes-Benz held a gala event to unveil its much-anticipated All New GLC SUV at the Guangzhou Gymnasium on Thursday to showcase its interpretation of what it means to be a hero.

The fine qualities that define a hero are shown through the obligations one shoulders for family, career, society, and the care offered to loved ones. Under the slogan, "Built for the Hero in You", the new car's launch perfectly echoes people's expectations of the hero in themselves.

Hitting the market in China were five variants: the GLC 200 4MATIC, GLC 260 4MATIC Dynamic, GLC 260 4MATIC Luxury, GLC 300 4MATIC Dynamic and GLC 300 4MATIC Luxury, priced from 396,000 yuan to 579,000 yuan ($62,080-$90,770).

As the successor of the GLK SUV, the All New GLC SUV, with its new nomenclature, refreshing exterior design, upgraded interior space, superior driving performance, innovative technology and benchmark-setting safety standards, speaks to those who have the courage to shoulder responsibilities as they live life to the fullest.

"Being a hero means facing all challenges fearlessly and making an otherwise ordinary life extraordinary," explained Duan Jianjun, executive vice- president responsible for sales and marketing of Beijing Mercedes-Benz Sales Service Co.

"Built for the Hero in You', the All New Mercedes-Benz GLC SUV combines state-of-the-art technology and performance, and is capable of dominating all road conditions, while at the same time ensuring safety and comfort. By virtue of its strength, stability and inclusiveness, this vehicle is the perfect car for people who face challenges in ordinary life and rise above their problems by daring to be the hero."

Star-studded launch

The gymnasium hosted the launch of the All New GLC SUV and was a perfect locale for the athletic new mid-size SUV from the German premium automaker.

Held the night before the Guangzhou auto show opened, the launch event featured performances by hot pop-star Stefanie Sun, singer-songwriter Harlem Yu, and the latest Voice of China Champion Zhang Lei.

China's most famous and dedicated tennis star Li Na, who stars in the new commercial for the All New GLC SUV, also appeared, while many GLK SUV owners shared their moving stories of facing challenges, growing and becoming successful together with their GLKs.

As the second generation of Mercedes-Benz's mid-size luxury SUV, the GLC is just the latest SUV model from the German automaker to be launched in what the company calls its "Year of the SUV'.

"In 2015, we have launched a number of new SUV models for our Chinese consumers, which have contributed to a strong year in the Chinese market," said Nicholas Speeks, president and CEO of BMBS. "China has become the world's largest market for the GLK SUV."

SUVs represent China's fastest-growing auto segment and the automaker has worked hard to tap this potential. According to Speeks, in the first 10 months of this year, SUVs accounted for over 40 percent of all Mercedes-Benz units sold, a 41 percent year-on-year growth.

The company brought a new SUV model to the Chinese market each quarter of this year, including the new GLE SUV that launched in Chongqing in October. SUVs now account for two of every five vehicles Mercedes-Benz sells in China, and the company offers five SUV models, ranging from the compact GLA to the rugged G-Class.

"We are confident that the launch of the All New Mercedes-Benz GLC SUV will win the love of SUV consumers of all ages, and further advance the competitiveness of Mercedes-Benz SUVs in the market," he added.

The success of Mercedes-Benz's SUVs in China obviously boosts the carmaker's overall market performance, especially when the industry remained stagnant this year.

"2015 so far has been a great year for Mercedes-Benz, as we worldwide grew significantly faster than our main competitors," said Hubertus Troska, the member of the board of management of Daimler AG responsible for Greater China. "Until October we delivered over 1.5 million cars globally, equaling a year-on-year increase of about 15 percent - and China has been without doubt the strongest contributor to this strong momentum."

Troska proudly announced at the launch's press conference that Mercedes-Benz has surpassed the 300,000 unit sales mark in China in a single year for the first time.

"With fantastic products like our all-new GLC and our strong alliance with our partner Beijing Automotive Group, we will continue to show both our commitment to this great country and our confidence in the future of Mercedes-Benz here," he said.

Localization has been key to this process - as with its predecessor the GLK, the All New GLC is made at the Beijing Benz plant in Beijing.

"The All New GLC SUV marks the end of BBAC's first decade of existence, and is fittingly built upon Mercedes-Benz's 129 years of technological heritage," said Xu Heyi, Party secretary & chairman of BAIC.

"Going forward, BAIC and Daimler will work even more closely together to accelerate the introduction of cutting edge, competitive products within China through deeper strategic cooperation, thus delivering the best product experience to Mercedes-Benz owners."

The new GLC SUV traces its roots to the previous GLK, which made its world premiere at the 2008 Beijing Auto China. The GLK went on to become one of Mercedes-Benz's most popular models in China, which accounted for the mid-size SUV's largest market. So far this year, around half of all GLKs sold worldwide went to Chinese customers.

Unlike its square though attractive predecessor, the new GLC features a streamlined, contoured design, interpreting the model's GLK heritage in an entirely new design language, in all aspects and dimensions. The company's "sensual purity" design language marks every aspect of the exterior, from the front with a short, succinct overhang, to the three-dimensional radiator grille with win louver and centrally positioned brand star.

The GLC's interior is significantly upgraded from that of the GLK, with sensual purity meeting dynamic sportiness. As a SUV model, the GLC completely revolutionized traditional ideas of SUV interiors and generated a sedan-equivalent atmosphere with a swooping center console and ample interior space.

In addition, premium materials exude a hand-crafted character, with meticulously finished details and an appealing overall touch and feel. It features Mercedes-Benz's remarkable touch-pad in the center armrest, which is capable of recognizing handwritten Chinese character input.

Mercedes-Benz sticks unswervingly to its philosophy of "safety first", and therefore the All New GLC SUV's intelligent assistance systems rival those of Mercedes-Benz S-Class vehicles, such as the Distronic Plus, which is unique to its category.

Other intelligent driving systems includes Collision Prevention Assist Plus, Crosswind Assist, Attention Assist and Active Parking Assist systems, which come as standard configurations across the entire model line, in addition to a 360 degree camera, thus serving as both a bodyguard and a travel companion as the driver travels to anywhere in the world.

It also clearly makes its mark with featured state-of-the-art assistance systems and outstanding energy efficiency, such as the company's independently developed and advanced 9G-Tronic automatic transmission and 4MATIC all-wheel drive.

The 9G-Tronic's nine gears enable comfortable, fuel-efficient driving at low revs and gentle, almost imperceptible gear changes, as if the transmission were infinitely variable.

Compared to the GLK, the interior of the new GLC is substantially more spacious for front and rear occupants alike. The All New GLC is 100 mm longer, 50 mm wider, with a wheelbase increased by 118 mm. This translates directly into increased comfort and convenience for occupants, making it the most versatile mid-size SUV ever for Chinese customers.

"Based on the needs of local customers, the All New GLC SUV has undergone a rigorous 420,000 km of testing across China, and takes into account the demands of local customers through appointments tailor-made for the China market," said Li Hongpeng, senior executive vice-president of BMBS.

"Through the dedicated cultivation of sales networks and the establishment of effective strategic partnerships with dealers based on mutual trust, we feel very confident that within China, the All New GLC SUV will continue to take the Mercedes-Benz legend into the future."

Contact the writers at gongzhengzheng@chinadaily.com.cn and yangcheng@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 11/20/2015 page14)