Mercedes-Benz announces new model from Thailand production line

German luxury-car maker Mercedes-Benz has added another new model to its production line in Thailand in order to provide local customers with more affordable products.
The latest CKD (completely knocked-down) model to roll out of the Thonburi Automotive Assembly Plant is the GLC 250d 4MATIC, priced at Bt3.99 million. Simultaneously, the company also launched the beefed-up version, the Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 4MATIC Coupe, which is fully imported and priced at Bt5.79 million.
According to Michael Grewe, president and chief executive of Mercedes-Benz (Thailand) Ltd (MBT), the sales growth in the company’s range of sport-utility vehicles is the highest compared with other segments. Mercedes-Benz sold more than 700,000 SUVs worldwide last year, 34.4 per cent more than in 2015.
“We constantly strive to sustain our leadership in the Thai luxury-car market and continue our philosophy to present ‘the best’ to our customers,” he said.
“Local-production vehicles are alternatives we are pleased to offer to Thai customers.” 
He said MBT and its production arm, Mercedes-Benz Manufacturing (Thailand), worked together to conduct extensive consumer surveys, compile market anticipations and select models that are suitable for production in Thailand.
“We tailor every detail of each local-made model to fit Thailand’s road conditions and the driving characteristics of Thais,” Grewe said. “Mercedes is the only premium-car brand with a Thailand-based production line incorporated with all three essential procedures to complete a unit of vehicle – body shop, paint shop, [and] final assembly.”
Mercedes assembles a total of 21 models in Thailand covering all segments, including plug-in hybrid vehicles.