Mercedes-Benz has begun series production of its new all-electric GLB sport utility vehicle at its manufacturing plant in Kecskemét, Hungary’s foreign minister said, according to a report by Hungary Today.
The start of production was announced by Péter Szijjártó, who attended the ceremony marking the launch, rather than by the automaker itself. Speaking at the event, Szijjártó said the move was strategically important for the German carmaker. “This step represents another important cornerstone in the German company’s development strategy and serves as a solid foundation for its future product portfolio,” he said.
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The GLB with EQ technology is the third model in Mercedes-Benz’s new entry-level electric class, following the CLA and its Shooting Brake variant. .
The model is built on the Mercedes Modular Architecture (MMA), a platform designed primarily for 800-volt battery-electric vehicles while also allowing for 48-volt hybrid configurations. The electric GLB is initially offered in two variants, the rear-wheel-drive GLB 250+ and the all-wheel-drive GLB 350 4MATIC, both using an 85 kWh battery with a reported range of up to 631 kilometres under the WLTP standard.
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Mercedes-Benz has previously produced the first-generation GLB and the electric EQB in Hungary. With the second generation featuring more advanced technology, officials expect production volumes and sales to rise. “We are proud that, thanks to the investments made here, they will soon be able to produce up to 350,000 cars per year, bringing us closer to our strategic goal of elevating Hungary into the elite league, where we can produce one million cars annually,” Szijjártó said, adding that Hungary has become “one of Europe’s strongholds for electric vehicle production.”