[Redline6800]

Mod Note: Team-BHP's review of the GLA-Class has been taken live at this link. Please continue the discussion on the new thread. Thanks!


A revitalized Mercedes Benz will unleash 5 new models in the Indian market. Mercedes will launch the B Class Diesel, A Class and GL Class over the next one month. The GLA compact SUV and CLA 4 door coupe will hit the market at a later date. The A Class hatchback will be available in Petrol and Diesel models from launch. Mercedes has no plans to launch a sub Rs 20 Lakh car in India, confirming that the A Class will be priced above that level. Mercedes plans to have its entire compact range available in India by 2015.

The luxury car maker expects that the compact luxury segment will bring in as much as 40 % of its volumes going forward (currently there is a 80/20 sales split between sedans and SUV's). Local manufacture will be necessary to price these models competitively for the Indian market. Mercedes Benz expects that the luxury automobile segment will grow to 280,000 units by 2020 from the approximately 30,000 units today.



The company has already allocated Rs 850 crore for expansion of its Chakan plant. Production capacity is being increased to 20,000 units (a year) and is to be completed by the end of this year. The paint shop has already seen and expansion from 10,000 units a year to 20,000 units. India will be the first site outside the USA where the M Class (production already underway) and GL will be manufactured.

[volkman10]

Mercedes-Benz planning to launch entry-level SUV in India.

Taking note of India's rising obsession with SUVs (Sports Utility Vehicles), Mercedes-Benz Tuesday hinted at launching a new entry-level SUV to compete with the likes of BMW X1, Audi Q3 and the soon-to-be-launched Volvo V40 Cross

Cheers!

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/...w/20049381.cms

[fine69]

First the A-class and now this, only if they get the pricing right though.

[scopriobharath]

I hope they dont bring in a Hatchback / Estate and sell it as an SUV.

Hope they dont make the A class sedan into an estate and call it an ML 50 or something . It should be somewhat like the Q3 at the very least.

[Marauder]

Originally Posted by volkman10

Mercedes-Benz planning to launch entry-level SUV in India.



Cheers!

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/...w/20049381.cms

I think there's already a thread on this topic.
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/indian...l-cla-gla.html

I don't think this news is relevant to this thread.Mods please merge

Originally Posted by scopriobharath

I hope they dont bring in a Hatchback / Estate and sell it as an SUV.

Hope they dont make the A class sedan into an estate and call it an ML 50 or something . It should be somewhat like the Q3 at the very least.

Nope,it's not going to be like an estate.It would be something like this.http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/intern...a-concept.html

[karpusv]

Indian Autos Blog reports that the new GL Classis launched at 77.5Lakhs
Link here http://indianautosblog.com/2013/05/2...ce-specs-76238

In the first picture in that article, the vehicle suddenly seemed tiny in between the 2 gentlemen.
On checking the brochure in the article, I found that the overall height of the GL class is 1850mm.
One of the older brochures that I have from 2010 shows the height as 2100mm. 250mm reduction in height is quite a change!

[sharninder]

Originally Posted by scopriobharath

I hope they dont bring in a Hatchback / Estate and sell it as an SUV.

Hope they dont make the A class sedan into an estate and call it an ML 50 or something . It should be somewhat like the Q3 at the very least.

Something like the Q3 will cost as much as a Q3. I think they're talking of a compact (and cheaper) SUV here.

[scopriobharath]

Originally Posted by sharninder

Something like the Q3 will cost as much as a Q3. I think they're talking of a compact (and cheaper) SUV here.

I for one believe in substance and ethics. Q3 looks more SUVish than X1.

X1 looks hatchbackish / Estateish. BMW should have some ethics to call a hatchback / estate an SUV. If I make a promo in a mall by lifitng the Maruti 800 slightly, it does NOT become an SUV.

Now, X1 & Q3 are somewhat closely priced. Merc, if they bring in the SUV as shown in the first post, it will be a runaway hit.

[PPS]

Mercedes GLA spotted in Pune.

Source: http://indianautosblog.com/2014/06/m...a-spied-132075

[PPS]

GLA spied again.

Source: http://www.zigwheels.com/news-featur...n-india/18883/

[himanshugoswami]

The GLA looks like an A class on steroids. the key to this car's success is pricing, and if Mercedes prices it within a couple of lakhs of the A cass, this will see decent numbers.

I see even worse days ahead for the BMW 1 series.

[karmania]

If only they could have raised the height of the GLA (not clearance), this would have been a serious contender to the Q3 and X1. It would be interesting to see a comparision between the three once it launches. Pricing will be the only saviour for GLA.

[vulcanize]

I wonder if the million dollar Mercedes-Benz S-class Pullman would make it to India too



Mercedes Upstages Rolls-Royce With $1 Million S-Class

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-0...tml?cmpid=yhoo

[amit]

Early days still but the GLA seems disappointing. It's a A class on stilts like the Polo Cross, Punto Aventura (or whatever) & the Etios Liva (forgot it's name!). Between the GLA, X1 & Q3, I would buy the Q3 anyday. The Audi at least looks like a decent SUV.

[Maky]

Originally Posted by amit

Early days still but the GLA seems disappointing. It's a A class on stilts like the Polo Cross, Punto Aventura (or whatever) & the Etios Liva (forgot it's name!). Between the GLA, X1 & Q3, I would buy the Q3 anyday. The Audi at least looks like a decent SUV.

I agree, Although...
Many times the Q3 has come in front of me in traffic while I was driving my Swift around. I can't say its any less hatchback on stilts. It's bulbous looking is all. I'd say the GLA looks more ecosporty in that sense sure but the Q3 isn't that much different.
Either a Q3 or GLA next to a real SUV such as the Fortuner is all it takes to separate the boys from the men : P. Too bad I was hoping for the GLA to be bigger in stance than the Q3.