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NEWS
Benz says no to sub-GLA crossover...
...but says the brand's future success means even more premium SUV variantsMercedes-Benz has said it will not build an SUV smaller than its current GLA-Class, saying simply, “that’s what smart is for”. It does, however, admit to having plans that extend its SUV range into many of the territories already occupied by its direct competitors, and that the company may indeed already be at work on a new high-riding model.
Speaking to motoring.com.au today at the Geneva motor show, Mercedes-Benz head of sales and marketing, Ola Kallenius, said growing the brand’s SUV range was an important part of its future plans.
“SUVs are very important to our portfolio,” Kallenius admitted. “Now that we are launching this year the new GLA, we’re adding one more product into our already very strong SUV line-up, and to have a premium entry SUV is going to be a very important piece of that puzzle.”
The GLA-Class crossover (pictured) is based on the A-Class platform and will go on sale in Australia next month from $48,000. But it's the sizes above the GLA, and those between the current ML, GL and G-Classes that offer Mercedes-Benz greater scope.
“From the GLA, all the way up through the GL and the legendary G, we have the broadest SUV line-up of any premium manufacturer,” Kallenius declared. “[We’re] well positioned, but that must not be the end of the road, there will be other ideas in the SUV space going forward, but it’s a tad too early to go into specifics.”
Kallenius would not be drawn on whether the ‘specifics’ included GT-style models such as those in the BMW line-up, or whether fast-back models like the X4 and X6 were of preference, stating simply that there are gaps available, and that those gaps will be filled.
“There are not quite a lot of gaps, considering our current line-up, but it is conceivable that we will add additional SUV products in the next few years as well. We’re in a good position,” Kallenius surmised.
“We’re growing into a lot of different areas. Perhaps, both niches and places where premium manufacturers weren’t in the past, and everybody is going to go after pretty much every different segment, and it's going to be your interpretation of how you stay [true] to your brand’s DNA, and staying to your brand promise, that determines whether you’re going to be successful.”
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Written byMatt Brogan
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