The mid-size SUV takes the plant’s production portfolio to a total of 10 models, including the saloon, estate, coupé and cabriolet of C-Class, the coupé & cabriolet of E-Class, the SUVs GLC & GLC Coupé and the two roadsters SLC and SL.
28 Jun 2016 | 2751 Views | By Autocar Pro News Desk
Mercedes-Benz started the production of the new GLC Coupé at its Bremen plant in Germany. It is the second all-new model to be launched at the plant this year.
The mid-size SUV takes the plant’s production portfolio to a total of 10 models, including the saloon, estate, coupé and cabriolet ...
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Mercedes-Benz started the production of the new GLC Coupé at its Bremen plant in Germany. It is the second all-new model to be launched at the plant this year.
The mid-size SUV takes the plant’s production portfolio to a total of 10 models, including the saloon, estate, coupé and cabriolet of the C-Class, the coupé and cabriolet of the E-Class, the SUVs GLC and GLC Coupé as well as the two roadsters SLC and SL.
“With the start of production of the GLC Coupé, we are further expanding our SUV family as a key element in the Mercedes-Benz growth strategy. At the same time, we are strengthening the Bremen plant’s role as the main production site for the model series within our flexible and efficient production network. The team is doing a great job,” said Markus Schäfer, member of the divisional board Mercedes-Benz Cars, Production and Supply Chain Management.
Production in Bremen in full swing
The extension of the product portfolio to ten models goes along with rising demands in terms of a highly flexible production at the site in Bremen. Consequently, the new SUV coupé is being built on the same line as the C-Class saloon, the C-Class estate and the GLC. This means that two out of three assembly halls at the Bremen plant each manufacture four models on one and the same line.
“The launch of the GLC Coupé delivers the latest proof of the versatile, competitive and efficient way in which we produce in Bremen. Within just a few weeks, we have successfully integrated the launch of two brand-new models into ongoing series production at the plant, something that is only possible with a highly motivated and expertly qualified team,” explained Peter Theurer, Head of the Mercedes-Benz plant in Bremen.
Michael Peters, chairman of the Works Council at the Mercedes-Benz Bremen plant said: “SUVs are growing in popularity around the world. By producing the GLC Coupé, Bremen is benefiting from this trend. At the same time, we are underscoring the goal of building up our plant, thereby delivering long-term job security. Manufacturing four models on one line, or ten models in total, is a complex task, but one that our highly qualified colleagues are excellently able to deal with.”
Ergonomics and efficiency in production
The assembly process for the GLC Coupé makes first-time use of a new seating fixture that swings the worker, in an ergonomically ideal position, into the vehicle interior, which is more difficult to access owing to the typical coupé roofline. This makes it easier to install front and rear trim parts in particular.
The individual body parts of the GLC Coupé are produced in the plant's own press shop. In the body shop, the body is produced on the same line as the GLC in a resource-conserving and cost-saving manner. Optimal reuse of production facilities from the previous GLK model series made it possible to limit the need for expenditure on new capital equipment. Having been modernised, the facilities were brought into line with the production needs of the new model series in terms of interaction and cycle times.
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