German carmaker Mercedes-Benz has commenced the production of GLA compact premium SUV at its Rastatt plant in Germany.
The company has rolled out the first GLA off the production line.
This new car expands the carmaker's product line and marks the fourth of a total of five new compact models including GLA, GLK, ML, GL and G-Class.
Mercedes-Benz cars head and Daimler management board chairman Dieter Zetsche said that here is a very strong demand from their customers for SUVs and compact vehicles.
"The GLA allows us to combine these two segments and appeal to new customers: it is the next milestone in our Mercedes-Benz 2020 growth strategy," Zetsche added.
Along with Rastatt, Mercedes-Benz also manufactures compact cars in Kecskemét, Hungary. The production network is complemented by the contract manufacturer Valmet Automotive in Uusikaupunki, Finland.
The luxury vehicle maker expects to roll off more than 100,000 A-Class vehicles at the Valmet Automotive plant by 2016.
Daimler management board member Andreas Renschler said that their plant in Rastatt is equipped for the production of an additional model.
"All compact vehicles can be produced flexibly on the same production line," Renschler added.
"The smooth start of production of the GLA is a further proof of the flexibility and productivity of our international production network."
Image: Mercedes-Benz unveiled Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class at the International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt. Photo: courtesy of Daimler AG.
