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saw the manufacturing line of GLK
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Posted 10/5/2008 5:48 PM
79percent
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Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Remscheid / Germany
Vehicle(s): 300 GE
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saw the manufacturing line of GLK

I have had the chance to visit the manufacturing area of the GLK in Germany/Bremen. On our stammtisch site, there is a video, showing the GLK climbing a wet steep hill ( 60%).

 

http://www.g-club-ruhrgebiet.de/cms/index.php?page=109

 

The GLK is build on the same trim line as the C-Class limousine and the T-wagon.

 

 

 

#133202
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Posted 10/6/2008 10:40 PM
cmitch
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Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Ala-Tenn
Vehicle(s): 2002 ML320, 2005 S430 4Matic, 2010 F150 Super Crew
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RE: saw the manufacturing line of GLK

It was my understanding that the R Class would be discontinued and the GLK would take it's place in 2010 at the Vance, AL plant. Has this been changed? The MB plant in Vance, AL has cut back to 32 hour work weeks to avoid layoffs. MB has announced an output cut of 32% at the Vance plant.
#133285 - in reply to #133202
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Posted 10/7/2008 2:51 AM
79percent
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Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Remscheid / Germany
Vehicle(s): 300 GE
Posts: 537
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RE: saw the manufacturing line of GLK

could be the plan, but for now, the GLK is delivered by Mercedes-Benz Bremen/Germany only.

#133300 - in reply to #133285
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Posted 10/14/2008 1:25 PM
lkchris
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Date registered: Nov 2006
Location: Albuquerque
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RE: saw the manufacturing line of GLK

Makes most sense to build GLK on C-class assembly lines, which are in Germany and South Africa.

ML, GL, and R are all similar, and it's the same philosophy.

Seems unlikley Mercedes would build a one-off model in Alabama. 

 

#133768 - in reply to #133300
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Posted 10/16/2008 5:47 PM
cmitch
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Date registered: Apr 2006
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RE: saw the manufacturing line of GLK

lkchris - 10/14/2008 12:25 PM

Makes most sense to build GLK on C-class assembly lines, which are in Germany and South Africa.

ML, GL, and R are all similar, and it's the same philosophy.

Seems unlikley Mercedes would build a one-off model in Alabama. 

 

This came in my MB club of America Newsletter:

 Possible C-class production at Vance
Spokespeople for MBUSI will neither confirm nor deny speculation that the Alabama facility may produce the very
successful fourth (if you count the 190 as the first) generation C-class and its SUV derivative, the GLK.
Honda has announced a shift of its Ridgeline pick-up to the Lincoln, Alabama plant that is the scale producer of both the
Pilot SUV from which the Ridgeline is derived as well as the Odyssey minivan from which the Pilot is derived. These
vehicles share the same platform and drive trains as do the Mercedes-Benz ML, GL, and R-class. It would, therefore,
require much more rearranging at MBUSI to add the C-class and GLK which share a platform different from the ML.
Some of their drivelines are shared with the Vance trio, so it is not totally out of the question.
The C-class is a bit more price sensitive than other M-B lines. The labor costs here in Alabama are almost 50% lower
than in Germany. They are also lower in South Africa which is the origin of many C-class cars sold here.
My sources tell me that there are many German visitors to Vance who are part of the C-class team.
The runaway success of Smart makes me think that perhaps this car or the larger A-class could be candidates for U.S.
assembly in Alabama.
This modern facility is far more flexible than the older traditional automobile factories (e.g. GM is closing its minivan
factory in Atlanta, because it can’t be adapted to today’s production methods. They also have serious UAW labor
problems—something to think about in the upcoming election).

#133942 - in reply to #133768
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Posted 11/14/2008 8:11 PM
Ed Mclass
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Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Nashville, Tennessee
Vehicle(s): 1958 180a, 2010 GLK, 2000 G 500, 2005 SLK 350
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Re: saw the manufacturing line of GLK

We plan a plant tour with the Alabama Club in May. Also some time at the Barber Raceway. Maybe we will get some clarification then.
#136100 - in reply to #133202
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Posted 1/6/2009 11:24 PM
Benzcowboy
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Date registered: May 2006
Location:
Vehicle(s): 2009 GL450 2005 E320
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Re: saw the manufacturing line of GLK

Ed Mclass - 11/14/2008 7:11 PM

We plan a plant tour with the Alabama Club in May. Also some time at the Barber Raceway. Maybe we will get some clarification then.


I'm a new MBCA Member. Is this going to be for all members? Too bad MBUSI factory delivery is no longer available.


#140153 - in reply to #136100
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Posted 1/7/2009 12:24 AM
Benzcowboy
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Date registered: May 2006
Location:
Vehicle(s): 2009 GL450 2005 E320
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Re: saw the manufacturing line of GLK

Benzcowboy - 1/6/2009 10:24 PM

Ed Mclass - 11/14/2008 7:11 PM

We plan a plant tour with the Alabama Club in May. Also some time at the Barber Raceway. Maybe we will get some clarification then.


I'm a new MBCA Member. Is this going to be for all members?




Nevermind..


http://www.mbca.org/Alabama/Linked%20Documents/Factory%20Tour_Car%2...
#140161 - in reply to #140153
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