2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC launched: Key highlights
2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC launch event comes to end
Mercedes-Benz has launched the 2023 GLC SUV in the Indian car market and with this, the launch event has come to an end. To read the full launch report, click here.
Mercedes-Benz GLC 2023 price revealed
The SUV has been priced ₹73.5 lakh for the GLC 300 while the GLC 220 costs ₹74.5 lakh (both prices are ex-showroom). The OEM has announced that 1,500+ bookings have already been received for the SUV.
Interior highlights
The 2023 GLC gets a 11.9-inch LCD screen tilted six degrees, 64-colour Ambient Lighting, Brumester 3D surround, lates NTG7 telematics and energizing air control.
Also check these Cars
1999 cc
Petrol
Design & engine highlights
The new GLC gets increased chrome highlights, additional 70 litres of boot space, off-road package, and 19-inch bi-colour alloys, among othere. It gets two new powertrains options with better fuel economy and reduced CO2 emissions.
Mercedes-Benz produces 14 cars locally in India
The OEM produces 14 Made-in-India models at its facility in Chakan in Pune, which it claims to be the largest facility for any luxury carmaker in India.
Over 2.6 million GLC units sold worldwide
Mercedes-Benz has so far sold more than 2.6 million units of GLC SUV worldwide while a total of 13,000 units have been sold in India since launch in the second half of 2016.
Growth in luxury car market
Luxury car market has seen a growth in India from 16,000 units in H1 2022 to 20,000 units in H1 2023.
2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC unveiled
Mercedes-Benz has taken the wrap off the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC SUV.
The power of hybrid?
The new GLC comes with something that Mercedes calls a 48V Integrated Starrter Generator technology. What this essentially does is boost the mileage of the vehicle - in both petrol and diesel versions - while bringing down emission levels. There is more power and torque on offer as well.
Big on style but big in size too
The GLC has grown in proportions with an increase in length and wheelbase. The length has gone up by 50 mm while the wheelbase has increased by 15 mm.
The return of the GLC…
…not that it went anywhere!
The second-generation Mercedes GLC has the precarious task of retaining the overall flavour of being a best-seller while throwing in fresh ingredients to make an even more lip-smacking recipe. The changes on the exterior styling and cabin aren't radical, but that is only understandable. But how is the GLC to drive?
Check out our first-drive review of 2023 Mercedes GLC in scenic Hampi in Karnataka…
Mercedes H1 sales in India
Mercedes-Benz India has the wind behind its proverbial sales. And it has enjoyed the breeze for quite some time now. Little wonder then that its sales performance in the first half of this year grew by 13 per cent to 8,525 units when compared to H1 of 2022.
Even in the second quarter of the year, the German brand continued to bat strong and sold 3,831 units.
A number of factors are at play here. Mercedes has an extensive and diverse range of models in the Indian market - from electrics and petrol motors to even diesel engines. Remember, Audi has ditched diesel motors entirely. Then there are the super performance cars under the AMG portfolio as well.
Another factor at play is local manufacturing. Most of Mercedes-Benz India models are either locally manufactured or locally assembled. This includes some of the AMG models as well. This helps drive down costs and makes the product more affordable. Obviously, even the wealthy love to save a buck when they can.
Mercedes sells its vehicles under its ‘Retail of the Future’ model which means it sells vehicles to customers directly, with dealers acting as brand representatives tasked with delivering the booked vehicles. The company says that this allows for transparency and helps meet quicker delivery timelines.
What has Mercedes been up to in India this year?
Mercedes has a dominant say in the Indian luxury car space and is ahead of its German rivals BMW and Audi in terms of sales volumes. The company has been extremely aggressive with its product launches and sells cars across various price brackets and powertrain options.
This year, Mercedes-Benz India has focused on top-end vehicles or TEVs and has so far launched super-expensive models like the updated G-Wagon, E53 Cabriolet and the GT 63 SE Performance. The company says there is a decent demand for such vehicles although models like the GLC remain part of the core offerings' group.
A look back the Mercedes GLC legacy
The GLC does not have to go back too far in time to trace its roots. In fact, it was first showcased to the world back in 2015 before its launch in 2016. Closer home in India, the model was brought in in 2016 as well. Mercedes says that this here is the SUV equivalent of the C-Class sedan which too received an update in early 2022 in India.
The first global units of the GLC were manufactured at the Mercedes plant in Bremen (Germany) but the model is now locally manufactured in many parts of the world.
While classified as a ‘compact’ vehicle in many markets, it is taken as a mid-size SUV in the US. In India, where SUV definitions are ever evolving, the Mercedes GLC is seen as an all-out luxury SUV.
Positioning of the GLC
Mercedes-Benz India sells sedans and SUVs in near equal numbers. While the E-Class LWB is the best-selling model in the country, the GLC has fared quite strong too with over 13,000 units sold in India since 2016. The number may not seem quite as impressive when compared to global sales of over 26 lakh units but remember, Indian luxury car market is still quite small compared to China, the US and some of the European countries.
As such, the GLC SUV will continue to hold a place of prominence in the Mercedes-Benz India lineup, sitting between the GLA and the GLE.
