Brian Joss –
Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, Inc. (MBUSI) marked the production of the first customer-ready all-new GLE Coupé. “The production launch of the GLE Coupé is an important milestone in our growth strategy in America. Together with the C‑Class, we will produce more than 300 000 vehicles in Tuscaloosa this year,” said Markus Schäfer, member of the divisional board of management of Mercedes-Benz Cars, production and supply chain management, at the ceremony held to celebrate the production launch of the new model at the Mercedes-Benz plant Tuscaloosa. Mercedes-Benz has dubbed 2015 as the year of the SUV for the brand, with the majority of its SUV portfolio being renewed, including the model update of the GLE (former M-Class). The GLE Coupé is a completely new series of Mercedes-Benz. It combines typical attributes of a coupé with the versatility and robust nature of a SUV. Mercedes‑Benz thus expects additional sales momentum in this year. In 2014, Mercedes-Benz Cars set new records with over 1.75 million vehicles produced and more than 1.74 million sold.
In March 2015, Mercedes-Benz increased its U.S. sales by 9.2 percent to 29,921 passenger cars and set a new sales record on a monthly basis. Sales of C-Class increased by almost 35 percent to 7,635 units. 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.
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. The GLE Coupé feels like a true sports coupé right from the word go. 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.
