Mercedes-Benz launches All New GLC SUV

The GLC SUV hits China market with five variants at the Guangzhou Gymnasium. [Photo provided to China Daily]

"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.

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