Mercedes-Benz Group has launched the all-new electric GLC sport utility vehicle (SUV) in China, introducing a key model as the automaker seeks to strengthen its position in the world’s largest electric vehicle (EV) market.
The electric GLC is the first Mercedes-Benz model built on the company’s Mercedes-Benz Electric Architecture (MB.EA) platform and is available in three variants.
The five-seat Liujin Edition is now on sale with a starting price of 338,000 yuan (about $49,700). The five-seat Huiyin Edition and six-seat Xingbo Edition have opened for pre-orders with starting prices of 299,900 yuan and 388,800 yuan, respectively.
800-Volt Platform and Fast Charging
The electric GLC is built on an 800-volt electrical architecture and is powered by an 85.5-kilowatt-hour ternary lithium battery supplied by CATL.
Mercedes-Benz said the vehicle offers a maximum CLTC driving range of 703 kilometers, while charging the battery from 10% to 80% takes approximately 22 minutes.
The SUV features a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system producing a combined output of 310 kilowatts (416 horsepower), enabling acceleration from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour in 4.9 seconds.
Among the exterior design features is an illuminated shield-shaped front grille incorporating 942 lighting units capable of sequential lighting effects.
Inside, the vehicle is equipped with a 39.1-inch MBUX Hyperscreen, the largest in-car display currently offered by Mercedes-Benz.
Features Tailored for Chinese Market
Mercedes-Benz said it introduced several localized features designed specifically for Chinese customers.
The vehicle incorporates an intelligent driving assistance system developed by Chinese autonomous driving company Momenta, supporting navigation-assisted driving in both urban environments and on highways.
The in-car virtual assistant has also been integrated with Doubao, the artificial intelligence large language model developed by ByteDance, and supports several Chinese dialects, including Cantonese.
To better match local customer preferences, Mercedes-Benz extended the vehicle’s wheelbase to 3,027 millimeters, an increase of 55 millimeters over the standard-wheelbase version. The SUV also features longer and thicker rear seat cushions and is available with a six-seat configuration for the first time.
Competition Intensifies
The launch comes as Mercedes-Benz faces increasing competition in China’s premium electric vehicle market.
In addition to established rivals such as the BMW iX3 and Audi Q6L e-tron, the company is also competing with newer models including the Tesla Model Y, Xiaomi YU7 and Li Auto Li i8.
These vehicles have gained market share through localized technology, established customer bases and strong consumer recognition in China’s rapidly expanding electric vehicle sector.