Advanced Search

The story appears on

Page A9

December 11, 2015

GET this page in PDF

Free for subscribers

View shopping cart

Related News

Home » Business » Autotalk Special

Mercedes-Benz takes SUVs to the next level

By Anna Lu | December 11, 2015, Friday | Print Edition

DESPITE the anemic sales growth of China’s auto market, the three-pointed star emblem of Mercedes-Benz continues to shine, bucked the trend particularly thanks to double-digit growth in SUV sales, a segment that was the market’s rare bright spot this year.

Following a 2015 SUV offensive that saw the introduction of the locally-produced GLA SUV, imported GLE SUV and all new GLE Sport SUV, the company is counting on a full-fledged line-up to cash in on the segment that has been expanding by about 40 percent year-on-year.

To take this SUV offensive to the next level, Mercedes-Benz recently launched the all new GLC SUV that comes in five variants. It is a successor to Mercedes-Benz’s already successful GLK. With SUV accounting for more than 40 percent of the brand’s sales in China this year, China has become the NO. 1 market for GLK SUV, and Mercedz-Benz said that the mid-size GLC SUV will be a worthy successor. “We have surpassed the 300,000 unit sales mark in China in a single year for the first time ever,” Hubertus Troska, Member of the Board of Management Daimler AG, said of the brand’s performance this year, referring to figures as of Guangzhou auto show. “With fantastic products like our all new GLC and our strong alliance with our partner BAIC, we will continue to show both our commitment to this great country and our confidence for the future of Mercedes-Benz here.”

The GLC SUV is positioned as a car to “built for the hero in you”, referring to people who face all challenges fearlessly and live their life to the fullest.

Born with this spirit, the GLC features a number of bests and firsts. The brand’s self-developed 9G-TRONIC transmission, a perfect balance in terms of efficiency and responsiveness, comes as a standard configuration for the car, which is the first locally-produced model to be outfitted with this gearbox. The DYNAMIC SELECT with 5 driving modes, which allows drivers to switch among different personalized driving styles is usually only available for higher-end models. And Mercedes-Benz renowned DISTRONIC PLUS, which automatically makes sure that a safe distance is kept to the car driving in front of it. This is also unique to the GLC in the SUV segment.

Besides that, a wide variety of Intelligent Drive technologies backs up the car’s audacity as COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS, Cross Wind Assist, Attention Assist and Active Parking Assist systems all come as standard configurations across the model line, on top of a 360° camera, Blind Spot Assist and Lane Keeping Assist. Undaunted by whatever road conditions is lying ahead, the entire line-up is equipped with a 4MATIC all-wheel drive system optimized through its lower weight and volume that enhanced performance and reliability.

Many people chose SUVs for their versatility. The GLC is just one example of Mercedes-Benz’s latest efforts to meet Chinese SUV enthusiasts’ needs for a whole package to ace daily urban travels as well as excursions on tough terrains.

More SUVs on offer

The brand’s GLA SUV and GLE SUV both stand out with their crossover design that blends high-end style with ruggedness.

Despite its chic and compact appearance, the GLA has a 4MATIC four-wheel drive system, which allows outstanding energy efficiency and safe handling while delivering plenty of traction reserves and excellent flexibility. Besides a segment-leading ground clearance of 204mm, the car also comes with a number of professional off-road equipment including Downhill Speed Regulation (DSR).

As a model of full-size SUV, the GLE SUV’s dynamic yet elegant characters are in line with its appearance. Known as the Master of All Terrain, the GLE SUV is equipped with an AIRMATIC air suspension that can elevate its chassis by up to 60mm to increase its fording depth and off-road handling. In addition, a 100 percent inter-axle differential lock will further promise off-road enthusiasts an enhanced driving experience.

The GLE Sport version adds the excitement of dynamic driving with a true ultrafast performance. It is also the first car to be fitted with Mercedes-Benz’s 9G-TRONIC transmission.

“2015 marks Mercedes-Benz’s Year of the SUV, and we have launched a number of new SUV models for our Chinese consumers, which contributed to a strong year in the Chinese market,” said Nicholas Speeks, President and CEO of Beijing Mercedes-Benz Sales Service Co., Ltd. “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.”

Autotalk Special


 

Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.

沪公网安备 31010602000204号

Email this to your friend