WINDHOEK – Mercedes-Benz has rolled out an all-new GLE Coupé for the US market, where the Mercedes-Benz has been registering increase in sales.
Mercedes-Benz is combining two classes of vehicle – each with its own distinct style – to make a new model, the Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupé.
The sporty nature of a coupé dominates, imbued with the striking characteristics of a robust SUV. In addition to convincing on-road vehicle dynamics, the GLE Coupé looks impressive as well. With its flowing side contour, elongated and low greenhouse, striking radiator grille with central chrome louvre and rear end design, the GLE Coupé cites styling features typical of particularly sporty Mercedes-Benz models.
Despite the similarity to an SUV with its raised seating position and an all-round view that is expansive for a coupé, the occupants are led to believe that they are in sports rather than off-road mode. The sound is reminiscent of powerful sports cars and, combined with the spontaneous and direct response to all commands, is guaranteed to get your pulse racing.
On the other hand, it can also create a superior feeling of calm, coupled with unshakably serene driving dynamics. These two different worlds can normally only be experienced in two separate vehicles – an agile, thoroughbred sports coupé and an easy-going, comfortable SUV. But the new GLE Coupé is different: DYNAMIC SELECT enables a wide spread in the driving dynamics and combines these diametrical worlds of experience in a single vehicle – an automobile premiere.
Mercedes-Benz thus expects additional sales momentum in this year. In 2014, Mercedes-Benz Cars as a whole set new records with over 1.75 million vehicles produced and more than 1.74 million sold. In March 2015, Mercedes-Benz increased its US sales by 9.2 percent to 29 921 passenger vehicles and set a new sales record on monthly basis. Sales of C-Class increased by almost 35 percent to 7 635 units. In the first quarter, US sales grew by 7.6 percent to 78 156 passenger vehicle.
Worldwide sales of Mercedes-Benz in the first three months of 2015 increased around 14.8 percent to 429 602 units, making it the first quarter with the strongest sales in the history of Mercedes-Benz. The SUV models enjoy great popularity. Since the beginning of the year, sales grew by 31.9 percent to 107 321 vehicles.
To date, Mercedes-Benz has made a US$4.5 billion capital investment in the Tuscaloosa operations. Besides the models GLE and GL, Plant Tuscaloosa has built the C-Class sedan since 2014. Production of R-Class vehicles will be moved to the US contract manufacturer AM-General in Mishawaka, Indiana, which will gradually free production capacities to be used for the SUV series.