'Baby Mercedes G-Class' Could Arrive in 2019
Mercedes-Benz has shown a pre-production version of the upcoming GLB at an annual national dealer meeting.
Dealers believe the baby G-Class model to arrive showrooms by the fourth quarter of 2019, which means the GLB will be offered as a 2020 model. The compact crossover is likely to be built in Mexico at a new Daimler-Nissan joint venture plant, along with the new-to-America A-Class sedan. The dealers also said the GLB will come standard as a five-seater, but will offer an optional seven-seat configuration.
Greg Barnes, president of Bill Ussery Motors in Coral Gables, Florida, told Automotive News the GLB reminded him a little of the boxiness of the GLK. “It’s functional, small SUV, more of a people mover, whereas the GLA is sportier,” he said.
SEE ALSO: Here’s Our Best Look Yet at the New Mercedes GLB Crossover
The GLB won’t be the only crossover Mercedes is introducing next year. Refreshed versions of the GLE and GLS are also expected, as the company focuses more on its crossover and SUV lineup. Mercedes-Benz USA CEO Dietmar Exler admitted that C-Class sales are coming down, while GLC sales are going up. As a result, Mercedes is working to optimize its product portfolio for the U.S. market, as it continues to shift towards crossovers and SUVs.
Still, Exler is optimistic that the A-Class sedan will do well in the U.S., pointing to the success of the CLA. He believes the new A-Class sedan will be at least as good, if not better, than the CLA in terms of sales.
[Source: Automotive News]
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Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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