The second phase at the Chakan plant has taken the total production capacity to 20,000 units per year and the local assembly has helped drop prices on the GLA while also reducing the waiting period.
Mercedes-Benz India has launched the locally assembled GLA premium compact SUV in the country with prices now starting at Rs. 31.31 lakhs (ex-showroom, Pune) for the Style trim, thereby also reducing the waiting period. The move comes due to the overwhelming demand that the GLA has received within nine months of its launch. The premium compact SUV is also the first of the new generation MFA platform cars from the Stuttgart based automaker to be locally produced in India and joins the list with Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia while Brazil will also be joining the lineup in 2016 for locally producing the new generation cars.
The Mercedes GLA is also the first model to be assembled at the Chakan facility’s second production phase that gets new assembly lines, synchronised conveyor systems, latest technology roller tester, dynamic shower tester and much more. The new phase has augmented the total production capacity at the facility to a total of 20,000 units per year, the largest installed capacity for any luxury carmaker in the country. The plant has also attracted a total investment of Rs. 1000 crores, also the largest investment to be made by any luxury car maker in India. Apart from the GLA, the Chakan facility also assembles the S, E and C-Class sedans, as well as the ML-Class and GL-Class SUVs.
The locally assembled 2015 Mercedes GLA continues with the same engine options with power coming from the 2.2-litre diesel engine that produces 134 HP of power and 300 Nm of torque, paired to the 7-speed automatic transmission. The company is only assembling the diesel version at present and stated that it will commence local assembly of the petrol version later. Mercedes may also locally assemble the CLA premium sedan in the near future.
2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA Prices (ex-showroom, Pune) –
* GLA 200 CDI Style – Rs. 31.31 lakhs
* GLA 200 CDI Sport – Rs. 34.25 lakhs
