Mercedes-Benz has launched the new GLC starting at INR 73.5 lakh, ex-showroom, India for the GLC 300 petrol variant, and the GLC 220d for INR 74.5 lakh. The GLC has garnered over 1,500 bookings so far. Over 13,000 units of these models have been sold in India so far.
The GLC will be manufactured at the company’s Chakan plant in Pune, which has seen an investment of INR 100 crore to accommodate the new model.
Based on the MRA II platform, the GLC gets powered by a 2.0-litre petrol engine mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission generating makes 258hp and 400Nm of torque in addition to a mild hybrid technology’ integrated starter generator (ISG) system producing 23hp and 200Nm. The GLC 220d, meanwhile, gets powered by a 2.0-litre diesel mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission with similar hybrid technology as the petrol counterpart, producing 197hp and 440Nm of torque in total.
Inside, the SUV gets an 11.9-inch portrait-style central touchscreen infotainment system with a new NT7 interface, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a 15-speaker Burmister system, voice recognition, and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. It also gets 64-colour ambient lighting, an air purifier, a panoramic sunroof and heated front seats, among others.
CY23 So Far
Mercedes-Benz India noted that it has clocked a 13% YoY growth in sales in H1CY23 to 8,528 units as against 7,573 units sold in the same time last year. In addition to the best-ever H1 results, the company set a new benchmark in its Q2 sales, selling 3,831 units, representing an 8% YoY jump.
The German carmaker noted that the demand for high-end Mercedes-Benz and AMG models belonging to the TEV (top-end luxury) segment continued to outpace other segments, growing at 53% YoY in H1CY23 with the LWB E-Class remaining the best seller for the brand. GLE, on the other hand, became the bestselling SUV model, followed by the GLA SUV in H1 2023.
Santosh Iyer, MD and CEO, Mercedes-Benz India, noted that the company currently witnesses 25% of its sales from the TEV segment while 60% comes from the core luxury segment.
Given the increased demand, the company is revamping its dealerships across the country, with 11 done already. Under the new plan, the dealerships have been downsized, with only TEVs will be on display at the showroom, while the other products will be available for test drives. Additionally, 1/3 of the showroom floor has been dedicated to delivery functions as the company believes it to be the most crucial moment of buying a vehicle.
While the company is focusing on revamping physical showrooms, it is also focusing on its retail of the future (ROTF) model. Iyer noted that while the physical touch becomes an important aspect of vehicle buying, the customers also prefer the online store; hence the focus should be on an omnichannel model.
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