Mercedes-Benz India recently sent a batch of Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) to Europe.
The Mercedes-Benz GLE SUVs manufactured at its Chakan plant in Pune, Maharashtra, were exported in the financial year 2022-23, Autocar Professional reported in an exclusive report.
This revelation comes at a time when the Indian government is working hard to kick off the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Europe and the United Kingdom. According to the report, Mercedes-Benz India’s 20,000-unit-per-year factory in Chakan is operating at nearly full capacity (85 to 90 percent). In order to meet increased demand, the functioned in three shifts in recent quarters
India, which is serving as a model assembly base for the German automaker, has established itself as a high-quality production base internationally, and this is being exploited for component procurement. Also, the export of Mercedes-Benz SUVs manufactured in India might be a sign of things to come in the post-FTA world.
Mercedes-Benz India on SUVs sent to Europe
According to the company’s FY2023 financials, Mercedes-Benz India secured an export order for BR167 LHD vehicles for the European market. These vehicles were built by repurposing existing manufacturing lines in the body shop, paint shop, and assembly line.
“Our world-class manufacturing facility in Chakan, Pune, produces a comprehensive vehicle range. The production network of Mercedes-Benz cars is flexible and efficient, enabling capacity to be utilised in accordance with global demand,” a Mercedes-Benz India representative was quoted as saying by Autocar India.
The Mercedes-Benz GLE SUV is thought to be the exported model. While the specific quantity of the batch of exports was not specified, the fact that the manufacturing lines were modified to accommodate the order emphasises the importance of the batch of production.
Reports state that this is the second time in the last five years that Mercedes-Benz has used its assembly factory in India to serve worldwide markets. In 2018, the automaker transported the GLC SUV to North America; at the time, India was a backup base for the German luxury automaker, and it was temporarily unable to match the SUV’s demand in that region.