Mercedes starts assembly of GL-Class, cuts price by Rs 5 lakh

Mercedes-Benz India today said it has started local assembly of luxury sports utility vehicle GL-Class from the Chakan plant, bringing down its price by almost Rs 5 lakh.

"Mercedes-Benz India today achieved the distinction of becoming the only market to start the production of the second generation GL-Class full-size luxury SUV, outside Mercedes- Benz's SUV plant in Tuscaloosa, USA," the company said in a statement.

The GL-Class, launched in May this year at Rs 77.5 lakh, will now be available for Rs 72.58 lakh (ex-showroom).

Mercedes-Benz India Managing Director and CEO Eberhard Kern said: "Local production of the GL-Class will provide immense value addition and benefits to our valued customers in the form of easier production availability and flexible production scheduling..."

Daimler (the parent firm) 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, he added.

The roll-out of the all new second generation GL-Class from the Chakan plant near Pune, reiterates Mercedes-Benz's aggressive product portfolio for the Indian market and also underlines the company's long-term strategy and commitment, the statement added.

Mercedes Benz India assembles the E, C, S and M Class models currently. It will take a decision early next year on assembling more cars, which may include compact luxury cars A Class and B Class, at its Chakan plant where it is investing Rs 250 crore to double annual capacity to 20,000 units by 2014.

The company has been aggressive on introducing products this year to strengthen its position in the Indian luxury car market. In the April-June quarter this year, the company sold 1,756 units as against 1,327 units in the year-ago period, up 32.32%.