Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class News

Mercedes-Benz has announced the return of the entry-level GLC 200 variant for Australia, bringing down the entry cost of its most popular model by $14,400.

Those aspiring to be Mercedes-Benz owners may be in for a shock with the prestige brand recently axing its A-Class small sedan, while increasing prices across its entire range by up to $6000. The A-Class sedan made its Australian debut in 2019 and joined the A-Class hatchback to compete with the likes of Audi’s A3 sedan and Sportback. The A-Class is also the most affordable entry point into Mercedes-Benz’s entire Australian line-up.Mercedes-Benz says the discontinuation only affects the A-Class sedan and the hatch will remain on sale.“The A-Class sedan is currently still on sale in Australia, however factory orders have been closed,” a Mercedes-Benz spokesperson told CarsGuide. “Customers can order locally available stock. The A-Class hatchback is currently still available for factory and stock order.”  The A-Class sedan and hatch have been a success story for Mercede-Benz with the total sales for 2024 reaching 1997 — about 50 more cars than the year’s sales for the C-Class sedan.The reason for the sedan’s departure Mercedes-Benz says is to make way for electric and hybrid models which will be the new entry points into the brand.“Mercedes-Benz will introduce a new range of entry-level vehicles built on the all-new, electric-first MMA platform. The upcoming CLA will lead this range, which will include a four-door coupé, a shooting brake, and two SUVs.” The A-Class hatch might remain but it’s also now expensive with the price rising by $600 to $57,500. Actually, every model in Mercedes-Benz’s entire line-up (there are 64 of them) has seen a price increase with the most expensive Maybach S 680 vlimbing by $6000.Entry into the C-Class sedan range is now $92,600 (up by $1200), while the E-class starts at $132,000 (up by $1586). Mercedes-Benz’s smallest and most affordable SUV the GLA 200 is now $63,600 (up by $700). Mercedes-Benz told CarsGuide the price increase was caused by several factors but would not go into detail.“As pricing is a dynamic topic that is influenced by a wide range of factors, we can’t provide any further comments,” a Mercedes-Benz spokesperson told CarsGuide.  You can see our table below for the full list of price changes. Prices listed are before on-road costs but include LCT and GST

If you’ve seen a lot of BMWs on the road lately, there is a reason for it.The Bavarian giant is officially Australia’s favourite premium automotive brand.According to 2024 sales figures, BMW capped the year with 26,341 sales. That represents a modest 0.6 per cent bump over its 2023 results, or in actual figures, BMW sold 157 more cars last year than the year before.For years BMW was the number two marque in Australia behind archrival Mercedes-Benz. But that shifted a few years ago and now BMW is the dominant force in the premium segment.Mercedes splits its sales between two business units — Mercedes-Benz Cars and Mercedes-Benz Vans. Given none of its premium rivals offer commercial vans or utes, we will focus on cars.BMW was the 14th best-selling brand overall in 2024, wedged between Volkswagen in 13th and Suzuki in 15th.But how did it do so well last year? A couple of factors — SUVs and EVs.Sixty two per cent of BMW sales were for its ‘X’ SUV range. And the leader of that pack was the X1 small SUV with 4536 sales. Despite these solid numbers, it was beaten by the Audi Q3 for sales in the small SUV segment.The X3 was BMW’s next best seller, capturing high sales in runout ahead of the new-gen model arriving, and X5 was third best, while the X7 and 7 Series saloon had their best sales results ever.BMW’s EV sales were also a strong point, with just under 30 per cent of its total sales coming from electric cars. The iX1, i4, iX2 and iX3 made up the bulk of deliveries.Mercedes-Benz recorded 19,989 units in 2024, which was down by 17.8 per cent compared with 2023. Despite having a broader model range, the Stuttgart-based manufacturer saw double-digit sales declines for some of its most popular models including the C-Class (-26%), CLA (-32.7%), A-Class (-16.5%), GLC (-19.3%) and GLE (-41.4%).Benz fared better with some of its EV range, with the EQE medium SUV up by more than 200 per cent to 759 sales and the EQS large SUV also in positive territory (+126.7%). The GLA small SUV was the brand’s best seller, recording 3103 sales, up a healthy 65 per cent year on year.Coming third in the premium car sales race was Audi with 15,333, which represented a 19.5 per cent drop on its 2023 result.The decline can in part be put down to the delayed launch of the Q4 e-tron electric SUV, which now arrives in February, as well as some ageing model lines like the A4 and Q5 mid sizers. Both will be replaced in 2025 with new-gen models.The end of sales for the A1 hatch and TT sports car have also likely had an impact.Like Mercedes, Audi’s sales were a mixed bag. The Q3 was the brand’s star performer, capturing 5497 sales (+23.3%) to top the premium small SUV segment.The only other Audi model in positive sales territory was, interestingly, the A6 (+12%). Large sedans aren’t super popular these days so it’s a great result for a solid offering.On the flipside, the Q7 and A3 went backwards, but the SUV is about to get a big refresh in February, and the A3 has just been updated, too, so they should pick up in 2025.Aside from BMW, Porsche was the only premium brand to achieve sales growth in 2024, with 7029 units up 16.1 per cent. Every model line except the Panamera (-5.7%) and Taycan (-47.3%) saw double or triple-digit growth.Other premium contenders Lexus (13,642, -10.2%), Genesis (1400, -26.9%) and Volvo (8898, -20%) all had sales drops in 2024.

There’s nothing like the heat of competition to sharpen a carmaker’s focus as the run towards the end of the calendar year approaches.

Two Mercedes-Benz SUVs could be on the chopping block as the luxe German automaker looks to consolidate its line-up ahead of its zero-emissions transition.

Mercedes-Benz Australia recently flagged it is looking to bring back plug-in hybrids to the Australian market after a resurgence in PHEV popularity, but there’s not been any confirmation as to which model we’ll see arrive first.

Mercedes-Benz has unleashed its potent new AMG GLC 63 performance SUV. Gone is the brutish twin-turbo V8 and in its place is an even more powerful plug-in hybrid set-up.

The new-generation Mercedes-AMG GLC43 has arrived with less cylinders but more power, ahead of the range topping Mercedes-AMG GLC63 S E Performance.

While Chevrolet, Chrysler and Ford constitute the USA’s traditional ‘Big Three’, the three-way battle for premium market supremacy between Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz is the current German equivalent, on a global scale.

Mercedes-Benz has added to its GLC line-up with the swoopy GLC Coupe hitting Australian shores soon to take on its mostly European rivals.