Last year was a reasonably busy one for Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, having launched the AMG A 35, A 45 S and CLA 45 S, the C 200 AMG Line and the new GLA and GLB. But the company is determined to go one better in 2021, confirming plans of introducing locally-assembled compact car and SUV models.
The former would be a new addition to the CKD lineup and would surely get fans excited. The A-Class, B-Class, CLA, GLA and GLB have always been fully imported but despite their relatively higher prices, most of them enjoy healthy sales. Now, however, MBM is taking a page out of BMW’s aggressive CKD strategy – the new locally-assembled 2 Series Gran Coupé is the cheapest car in the premium segment.
We can’t expect MBM to assemble every compact car locally, so the selection will likely be limited to the better-selling model lines. In a country well-known for its love of four doors and a boot, the A-Class Sedan is the most obvious choice, although the five-door hatchback remains popular and should also be included. Handily, the hatch is marginally cheaper than the sedan and could undercut the BMW if it’s assembled here.
Also expected is the GLA, given the market’s increasing shift towards SUVs. Its larger GLB sibling could be an attractive option as the only compact seven-seater SUV on the market, but it’s a pricier offering that lacks the GLA’s mass-market appeal. The B-Class and CLA are even less popular and MBM has already confirmed it probably won’t be offering non-AMG variants of the CLA, making it a non-starter for a CKD operation.
Moving over to the larger SUVs, the only real option is the GLE, now that the GLC and GLC Coupé are already being assembled here. A CKD version should bring the price down from the existing RM584,721 for the GLE 450. It will also open the door for the introduction of a plug-in hybrid model to compete with the X5 xDrive45e and Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine, both of which come with significant import and excise duty savings – although the GLE 350 de currently sold in Europe has a diesel engine in place of a petrol mill.
One possible outside contender is the EQC, which was due to be launched last year but has yet to go on sale. If so, it would make the car the first electric vehicle to be assembled in Malaysia and would likely result in an attractive price for the zero-emissions SUV. However, this is only a remote possibility, especially since the EQC will already be assembled in Thailand this year.
What do you think – which Mercedes model are you looking forward to seeing a CKD version? Sound off in the comments after the jump.
GALLERY: V177 Mercedes-Benz A 200 Progressive Line Sedan
GALLERY: H247 Mercedes-Benz GLA 200 Progressive Line
GALLERY: V167 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 AMG Line
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Malaysians should be proud. More German cars and SUVs here per capita than the rest of SEA. Hyundai Training Center moving out to Indonesia? No big deal. Nobody is interested with Kimchis expect Singaporeans. Good luck with their EV factory. I am sure Singaporeans will buy them if given hefty discount.
Malaysians should taxed more German cars then Swede Volvo cars, the right thing to do.
Good to see the A range (Sedan/Hatch/GLA) and GLB are set for CKD. Also if the GLE makes it for local assembly as well it will open up the premium luxury SUV market and take the fight to the X5 and XC90. Interesting times ahead.
Better late than never I guess. The A Class hatch and sedan are missing some kit compared to the 2GC so it’s prime time for them to come with more driver assist systems.
The same could be said for the newly launched GLA and GLB. Both spec can be considered bare bones with compared to the XC40 and UX200 which has adaptive cruise control among the other standard kit offered.
Will those 35 amgs be ckd too??
why not GLB? current GLB is from MEXICO, you know la Malayisa rather Malaysia made more than Mexico lo….other Mercedes was German made ma
Going by Mercedes/Daimler global strategy of going sustainable energy/electric car. I would expect the EQC models would be offered in CKD. Hopefully our govt (MITI), MARIi and Daimler can work out a sustainable vehicle rollout for the next 10-15 years.
A class sedan and GLB…ok done, hahaha
was expecting cla rather than a class ckd zzz