Mercedes-Benz expands production capacities for the Mercedes-Benz GLC with the facility from the Valmet Automotive, which is set to support the production from Bremen.
Mercedes-Benz is continuing its growth strategy and is expanding production capacities for the new GLC. The main production facility continues to be the plant in Bremen, where the GLC has been produced since July. The contract with the Finnish manufacturer Valmet Automotive will produce additional volumes of the new mid-range SUV starting 2017, at its plant in Uusikaupunki.
Valmet Automotive is a traditional partner for Mercedes-Benz. The A-Class has been produced there since 2013. The order comprises of a total of more than 100,000 units through 2016. The Mercedes-Benz GLC order has a comparable volume.
According to Markus Schafer, member of the Divisional Board Mercedes-Benz Cars, Production and Supply Chain Management, “Working with contract manufacturers is an important factor in our global production strategy at Mercedes-Benz cars”.
The decision to increase the GLC production is linked to two factors.
- The demand for SUV continues to grow strongly. In October, 47,739 customers decided to buy an SUV from Mercedes-Benz, which represent a growth of 26.1%, compared with the October 2014.
- For the first time, Mercedes-Benz will offer a right-hand drive version of the GLC from December 2015.
