Mercedes Benz India commences its local new production facility with the roll out of the GLAPune: Mercedes-Benz India today accomplished a double feat celebrating the start of production of the GLA SUV at its manufacturing facility in Pune, as this milestone also marks the first time Mercedes-Benz is locally producing compact cars in its global assembly network along with sedans and SUVs. Beyond the Mercedes-Benz plant in India, this network comprises further locations in Thailand, Vietnam, Malayasia, Indonesia, and will be joined by Brazil in 2016 where a new assembly plant is currently under construction. The brand’s Pune production facility has an installed capacity of producing 20,000 units annually, and also carries an investment of over INR 1000 crores, both largest for any luxury car brand in India.

The honorable Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated the new production facility of Mercedes-Benz and drove out the first-ever GLA “made by Mercedes-Benz in Pune”. Present on the occasion were Shri Prakash Javadekar, Honorable Union Minister for Environment, Forest & Climate Change; Shri Subhash Desai, Honorable Industry Minister, Maharashtra; Eberhard Kern, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India and Piyush Arora, Executive Director, Operations, Mercedes-Benz India. 

The GLAMercedes-Benz will be producing the GLA in the 200 CDI variant from the Chakan production facility. The GLA remains one of Mercedes-Benz India’s highly successful models and a key product in Mercedes-Benz India’s product offensive. With the launch of the GLA, Mercedes-Benz bolstered its dominant position in the Indian luxury SUV market, offering the widest product range for its customers. The GLA redefined the segment and created a whole new customer group who preferred a stylish SUV that reflects their personality. Progressive in design, serene in day-to-day motoring and with good off road capability: the Mercedes-Benz GLA reinterprets the luxury SUV segment in a very convincing style. The vehicle exudes self-confidence and revels in its sporty dynamic design, cutting edge drive systems and unparalleled standard of luxury as well as safety which is unique in the segment. The GLA has been witness to an increasing customer demand since its launch across markets. The local production of the GLA will further enhance the value addition for the Indian customers and continue the GLA’s popularity in the Indian market.

Eberhard Kern, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India commented, “Rolling out our first ever locally manufactured GLA and commencing production from India’s largest installed luxury car production facility are two very significant accomplishments for Mercedes-Benz in India. These accomplishments are a result of our long-term vision for the Indian market and our relentless efforts towards creating a strong foundation for our business in India. Our endeavors are all driven by our customer centric approach, as we believe in creating enhanced value for them. The GLA has been a sensation in the compact luxury SUV segment in India and has witnessed an increasing demand from across the markets. Buoyed by this rising demand for the GLA, we took the decision to commence its local production and cater to even more customers wanting to own this stylish vehicle. The GLA would be the first of the New Generation Cars to be rolling out of our plant. The local manufacturing of the GLA and the commencement of production from our new facility, not only makes us ‘future ready’ but also gives us a competitive advantage in the dynamic Indian luxury car market. Mercedes-Benz India is on the right growth path and we are confident that we are creating a better future for the brand in India.”

Product Highlights:The GLA’s modern four-cylinder engines with turbocharging and direct injection are mated to a 7G-DCT 7 speed dual clutch transmission. The 2 litre diesel engine produces a maximum output of 100kW (136 bhp) between 3600–4400 rpm with a maximum torque of 300Nm between 1600-3000 rpm. It accelerates from 0 to 100 kmph in 9.9 seconds with a top speed of 205 kmph. The GLA 200 CDI is the

most efficient SUV in the segment with a fuel efficiency of 17.9 kmpl. One of the various functions through which the class leading fuel efficiency is reached, is the unique-in-class ECO Start Stop function featured as standard. The ECO start/stop function operates particularly effectively, rapidly and quietly in the GLA-Class.

Mr. Piyush Arora, Executive Director, Operations, Mercedes-Benz India commented, “Our state-of-art production facility which is a benchmark in quality and technological advancement in manufacturing and has been the backbone of our growth in India. The high level of refinement and implementation of advanced technology and flexible processes ensures our production quality conforms to the most stringent global Mercedes-Benz standards, and creates new benchmark in manufacturing for the luxury car industry in India. With the sixth model now added to our local production portfolio, we are even better positioned than before to cater to the increasing market demand for our fascinating products. We will continue our local value addition and make the best of global products available for our discerning customers in India.”

Production highlights of the GLA:The GLA 200 CDI production involves the use of latest technology in Mercedes-Benz India’s world class new production facility. The production involves using technologically advanced synchronized conveyor systems, use of 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 stringent quality environment. 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 etc. are all benchmark and helps deliver the highest quality products that roll out of the assembly lines from the Mercedes-Benz production facility in Chakan.-### -

Media contact: +91 2135 673000Shekhar Das Chowdhury |shekhar.daschowdhury@daimler.com |+9198508 36477Reuben George | reuben.george@daimler.com | + 91 98239 69057

About Mercedes-Benz India:Established in 1994, Mercedes-Benz India Pvt. Ltd. pioneered the luxury car market in India and boasts of more than 129 years of cutting edge innovation in the luxury automobile industry globally. Set up in 2009, Mercedes-Benz India’s world class production facility is spread over 100 acres in Chakan near Pune. The production facility is among the fastest green-field operations ever to be created and is rated among the top most CKD plants of Mercedes-Benz, globally. The production facility carries an investment of INR 1000+ crores and has an installed production capacity of 20,000 units annually, largest for any luxury car maker in India. Mercedes-Benz India product portfolio comprises the locally produced S-Class, E-Class, C-Class sedans and the GL-Class and the M-Class SUVs. Completely Built Imported cars portfolio include the A-Class, B-Class, CLA-Class, GLA-Class, CLS-Class, SLK-Class, E-Class Cabriolet etc. The product portfolio also comprises the iconic off-roader G 63 AMG as well as a wide range of other AMG performance cars like the CLA 45 AMG, E 63 AMG, SLK 55 AMG, GL 63 AMG, ML 63 AMG and the GLA 45 AMG.

Continuing its growth momentum into 2015, Mercedes-Benz India announced its philosophy for the year 2015 as the year of ‘Live the Best’, which is based on its brand philosophy of ‘Best or Nothing’. The growth strategy is built on 5 key initiatives with an aim to provide nothing but the ‘BEST’ to its customers, through BEST products, BEST operations, BEST touch points, BEST customer experiences and BEST corporate citizenship. ‘Live The BEST' which is the new driving philosophy for Mercedes-Benz India in 2015, aims to also achieve the objectives of growing a profitable and sustainable business in India and to further extend its customer focused approach. The company has already started the 2015 on a high with six key product launches, these being, the CLA-Class, the C 220 CDI, the new B-Class,

the E-Class Cabriolet, the CLS 250 CDI and the S600 Guard along with new dealership inaugurations in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, and in Ghaziabad. Mercedes-Benz also inaugurated its highly exclusive AMG Performance Centre, in Hyderabad and Pune. There are five such high-end AMG Performance Centre in India, currently.

In Q1 2015 Mercedes-Benz also became the leading luxury car manufacturer in India by registering a stellar 40% growth, selling 3566 units. Currently Mercedes-Benz India has 72 outlets across 39 Indian cities including 3 standalone Mercedes-Benz Certified outlets, making it the brand with the densest network presence in the luxury segment, in India. Mercedes-Benz for the second consecutive year has emerged as the ‘most awarded luxury car brand’ in India. The brand has won as many as 34 prestigious automotive awards conferred by different media houses across India, the highest won by any luxury automotive brand in India. In the Economic Times’ Brand Equity ‘Most Exciting Brands’ survey, among youth, Mercedes-Benz emerged on top of the ‘Automotive four wheeler’ category and remained the topmost auto brand in the survey that comprised 100 brands in India across categories.