After carrying out expansion works at its building facility in Pune, India, Daimler announced the production for the Mercedes-Benz GLA crossover has officially started.
In case you ever felt like Daimler and implicitly Mercedes-Benz are eyeing world-domination, allow us to confirm that your instinct was right. As of today, Mercedes-Benz's portfolio in India consists of six models - including the S-Class 350 CDI along with the E-Class, C-Class, GL and the M-Class - after the company has begun production of the GLA compact SUV.
With a capacity of 20,000 units annually, Mercedes' plant in Pune became the largest for any luxury carmaker in India. For the Mercedes GLA's arrival, the facility went through a retooling process that brought synchronized conveyor systems, a new roller tester, and additional assembly lines.
Since 2009, the plant received a total cash investment of 150 million euros ($168 million at current exchange rates). But there's a logic behind such an investment: in the first quarter of 2015, GLA sales on the local market increased three times, making the crossover a big hit between Indian borders.
“The start of production of the GLA in India marks the first time we are producing compact cars in our global assembly network along with sedans and SUVs. We are thus entering the next stage with our market-specific assembly, allowing us to serve local demands in a flexible and efficient manner according to highest quality standards,” explained Markus Schäfer, Member of the Divisional Board Mercedes-Benz Cars.
Also, the GLA's success persuaded Infinity to adopt a lot of components from Mercedes' Modular Front Architecture (MFA) for their upcoming QX30 crossover, which also hints at its German cousin via similar body shape and styling cues.
With a capacity of 20,000 units annually, Mercedes' plant in Pune became the largest for any luxury carmaker in India. For the Mercedes GLA's arrival, the facility went through a retooling process that brought synchronized conveyor systems, a new roller tester, and additional assembly lines.
Since 2009, the plant received a total cash investment of 150 million euros ($168 million at current exchange rates). But there's a logic behind such an investment: in the first quarter of 2015, GLA sales on the local market increased three times, making the crossover a big hit between Indian borders.
“The start of production of the GLA in India marks the first time we are producing compact cars in our global assembly network along with sedans and SUVs. We are thus entering the next stage with our market-specific assembly, allowing us to serve local demands in a flexible and efficient manner according to highest quality standards,” explained Markus Schäfer, Member of the Divisional Board Mercedes-Benz Cars.
Global reach for Mercedes-Benz
The global outbreak started at Mercedes-Benz is not only about the Indian market. Their network comprises further locations in Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, and will be joined by Brazil in 2016 where a new assembly plant is currently under construction.Also, the GLA's success persuaded Infinity to adopt a lot of components from Mercedes' Modular Front Architecture (MFA) for their upcoming QX30 crossover, which also hints at its German cousin via similar body shape and styling cues.
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