The China-made Mercedes-Benz GLC has been launched on the Chinese car market. Price starts at 396.000 yuan and ends at 579.000 yuan ($62.000 – 90.580). The GLC is manufactured by Beijing-Benz. This joint venture that also makes the E-class L, the C-Class L, the GLA, and used to make the GLK, the predecessor of the GLC.

The GLC will compete with the Audi Q5, the Volvo XC60, and to a lesser extend with the BMW X3 which is imported into China and thus more expensive. The GLC will also spawn the sporty GLC Coupe, but whether that one will be made in China too is yet unsure.

Power: there is really only one engine available, a 2.0 turbocharged petrol four, but it comes in three kinds: the GLC 200 with 184hp, the GLC 260 with 211hp, and the GLC 300 with 245hp, all mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission, and all with 4Matic four-wheel drive standard.

Chromed parts of the bumpers will undoubtedly appeal to Chinese car buyers. Bling, is King.