Mercedes-Benz Strengthens India Operations with INR 200 Crore Localisation Push
Mercedes-Benz India has invested an additional INR 200 crore in manufacturing and localisation at its Chakan factory in Pune as bookings for the locally built GLC Electric SUV cross 1,000 units. The investment would boost local production and better the availability of vehicles.
At its Chakan plant close to Pune, Mercedes-Benz India is putting an additional INR 200 crore on manufacturing and localisation. This action is being made because the number of reservations for its electric GLC, which is built locally, has surpassed 1,000 units, and the allocations will be exhausted by March 2027.
This growth is part of the German luxury automaker's strategy to increase sales of electric vehicles in the face of strong competition from BMW. According to Santosh Iyer, Managing Director and CEO of Mercedes-Benz India, talking to a media outlet, the brand's main difficulty is getting the items sold. Consequently, it is important to focus on product availability rather than demand as the primary limitation, he noted.
Loaded Features of GLC Electric
Not only is it the first Mercedes-Benz SUV in India to be powered by the MB.OS software, but it is also the first domestically made Mercedes-Benz on the new MB.EA-M electric platform. Navigation, driver assistance, and over-the-air upgrades are all handled by the software. The production rollout was attended by Devendra Fadnavis, the chief minister of Maharashtra. Dr Joerg Burzer, Chief Technology Officer of Mercedes-Benz AG, and Ola Källenius, Chairman of the Board of Management, were also in attendance.
The GLC Electric runs on an 800V electrical system and features a 94 kWh battery. The ARAI-certified WLTP range is 711 km, as the manufacturer claims. Under perfect circumstances, a 330 kW DC fast charger can increase the battery's range by 303 km in just 10 minutes, and it can go from 10% to 80% in just 22 minutes. All four wheels are powered by an electric motor that generates 489 horsepower (360 kW) and 800 Newton-meters of torque. One motor is mounted on each axle. The SUV can tow up to 2.4 tonnes, has a top speed of 210 km/h, and takes 4.3 seconds to go from zero to one hundred km/h. The business boasts that it has invested the most amount among luxury carmakers operating in India, bringing its total investment to INR 3,200 crore.
Specifications of GLC Electric
The 39.1-inch MBUX Hyperscreen houses the majority of controls, including those for the climate. A 15-speaker Burmester 4D sound system and an opacity-switchable panoramic glass roof are also included in the cabin. The front seats are equipped with heating and massage capabilities; however, they lack ventilation. Equipped with a Level 2+ ADAS suite and nine airbags, this vehicle prioritises safety. The illuminated grille features 942 lighting units on the exterior. The AMG Line design package and 20-inch alloy wheels are standard on the India-spec vehicle. The SUV's wheelbase is 84 mm longer, and its overall length is 140 mm greater than the GLC with a combustion engine.
There are 570 litres of trunk capacity and an extra 128 litres in the front trunk. There is no air suspension or rear-wheel steering on the India-spec vehicle. There is currently no direct premium competitor to the GLC Electric in India. The BMW iX3 isn't expected in the nation until next year, while the Tesla Model Y is more affordable at INR 50.89-61.99 lakh. Compared to the petrol GLC, the electric GLC is 1.5 lakh more expensive, and compared to the diesel, it is INR 50,000 more expensive.
