Mercedes launches ninth SUV

If you were to hazard a guess as to which car company offers the widest range of new vehicles in Australia, then a prestige brand might not be the first to spring to mind.

But Mercedes-Benz says it offers the biggest choice for new-vehicle buyers with well over 100 models across its passenger and commercial vehicle range.

Following the launch of the latest model, the GLC Coupe, the German car-maker also now has one of the widest SUV line-ups with nine different models to choose from.

Speaking at the Australian launch of the new model, Senior Manager – Public Relations, Product and Corporate Communications, David McCarthy, said Mercedes-Benz Australia's strategy to offer vehicles across niche segments was likely to see its sales top 40,000 for the first time in 2016.

“There are so many little niches and you have to fill them,” he said.

“The growth of SUVs has surprised us all over the years, but people want something a little bit different. Often an SUV is built for its carrying capacity and its ride height but vehicles like the GLE Coupe and GLC Coupe, whilst that’s a factor, people are buying them for the way they look.”

McCarthy added Australian buyers of the prestige brand were looking for high-end features and wanted to see the best inclusions for their purchase.

For that reason you won’t find a steel wheel available anywhere in its passenger car line-up, even though many models including the new E-Class come standard with steel wheels in Europe.

“Years ago, we made the decision to up the spec on our cars, making the cars better equipped and better value. It is what our customers want and it enabled us to make the car at a better price.”

Priced from $77,100 for the entry-level 220d model, the GLC Coupe range has been launched with a high level of specification which includes features like 20-inch alloy wheels, leather interiors and driver assistance technologies on both the 250 and 250d models.

Despite a realistic expectation by the company that the GLC Coupe is a niche vehicle rather than a high-volume model, Mercedes-Benz will still offer an extensive range of personalisation options including a choice of 11 exterior paint colours, four interior cabin finishes, a variety of alloy wheels, an up-spec infotainment suite and technology additions such as head-up display and heated seats.

It’s a complicated business for car that may find less than 200 homes a month, yet McCarthy said Mercedes remains focused on giving all buyers the opportunity to customise their vehicle – especially customers of niche vehicles, who expect an even higher level of personalisation options.

The Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe is on sale now and you can also read our first Australian drive.