Mercedes-Benz India ups the ante, begins local production of new GL-class SUV

Pune, August 26, 2013: Mercedes-Benz India has begun production of the new GL-class luxury SUV at its Chakan, Pune plant. With this, the 10,000 units per annum capacity plant has achieved the distinction of becoming the only facility to start production of the second-generation GL-class outside of Mercedes-Benz’s SUV plant in Tuscaloosa, USA.

The first new GL-class, priced at Rs 72.58 lakh (ex-showroom Pune), rolled out from the assembly line today in the presence of Eberhard Kern, managing director and CEO, Mercedes-Benz India and Piyush Arora, director - technical, Mercedes-Benz India.

The landmark is similar to that on October 10, 2012 when Mercedes-Benz India began local production of the M-class (ML 250 CDI) outside of the Tuscaloosa SUV plant in the US.

Local production of the new GL-class is indicative of the luxury carmaker’s aggressive product portfolio and gameplan for the Indian market.

Commenting on the latest product rollout, Kern said, “The full-size luxury SUV is a fast-growing segment in the Indian automotive industry and the new GL-class that we launched in India in May 2013 has a strong presence and is already sold out. Local production will provide immense value addition and benefits to customers in the form of easier production availability and flexible production scheduling. The GL-class 350 CDI is the first GL-class ever to be offered from a local production outside Mercedes-Benz’s SUV plant in Tuscaloosa, USA. Daimler considers India as one of its key growth markets and the start of local production of the GL-class SUV reiterates its long-term commitment and focus.”

Production of the new GL-Class 350 CDI at the Chakan plant involves the use of the latest technology involving the use of synchronised conveyor systems and the latest-generation PLC control units for all equipment which provide adaptability with different models on common production lines, thus increasing the flexibility of the production. Standard processes from across the value chain right through the finished car production are followed under a stringent quality environment. The company says the use of technology enabled processes like EMS–Transfer, production lines with latest-generation controllers, X-road–Dynamic testing and programming of cars, frequency controlled measurements for accuracy, shower testing cabin for simulation of real rain test, high pressure jets and dynamic movement of cars helps deliver the highest quality products.

Photograph: (L-R): Eberhard Kern, managing director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India and Piyush Arora, director (Technical), Mercedes-Benz India at the rollout of the locally produced new GL-class at the Chakan plant.