Audi and Mercedes-Benz are going to use next week's Beijing Auto Show to debut the Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz GLK SUVs.
China is quickly becoming an important market for most automakers as sales in other areas of the world are experiencing sharp declines. Audi's sales in China have increased 24.8 percent in one year, making it Audi's second largest market behind Germany.
In addition to the rising sales, SUVs have also taken off in the country. Mercedes-Benz hopes to capture a piece of the market with its GLK SUV. The GLK FREESIDE concept debuted at the Detroit Auto Show in January and the production model is expected to retain many of the details from the concept. The GLK is expected in Europe this fall and the US by early 2009.
Full Story: eGMCarTech
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Detroit Auto Show Preview: Mercedes Vision GLK FREESIDE Unveiled
Audi Delays the Launch of New Crossovers Until 2009
Comments (18)
this design is so ugly, that eventhough it is launched in the capital-of-infringement, this wont get copied.
Posted by lowest iq | April 14, 2008 11:16 AM
Posted on April 14, 2008 11:16
It won't get copied, because this is already copied from another vehicle. All Mercedes did was slap their symbol to the front fascia of a Suzuki XL7.
Posted by Jim | April 14, 2008 11:24 AM
Posted on April 14, 2008 11:24
It looks like a Forester on steroid.
Posted by Topper | April 14, 2008 11:55 AM
Posted on April 14, 2008 11:55
I agree with Topper, this is just a Subaru.
Posted by Jeremy | April 14, 2008 12:23 PM
Posted on April 14, 2008 12:23
low profile tires + sharp rock = sore wallet.
Just another high-riding, overweight wagon. Bleh.
Posted by Kell | April 14, 2008 12:47 PM
Posted on April 14, 2008 12:47
They should make the Mercedes symbol on the front larger.
Posted by Cheap Car Lover | April 14, 2008 12:58 PM
Posted on April 14, 2008 12:58
How many versions of a crossover do we need? S, M, L, XL? Soon we will have large crossovers that are the same as medium sized SUVs. I disagree with Topper and Jeremy. Doesn't even look as good as a Subie. More like a Suzuki. Ewww.
Posted by Rich | April 14, 2008 2:43 PM
Posted on April 14, 2008 14:43
Holy crap that thing is ugly.
Posted by SteelCity1981 | April 14, 2008 3:00 PM
Posted on April 14, 2008 15:00
This is one vehicle that shouldn't have used the saying, "If you build it, they will come".
This is nothing more than cheap German crap that looks like a copy of less priced vehicles on the market today.
Posted by Andrew | April 14, 2008 4:00 PM
Posted on April 14, 2008 16:00
Yes its not the coolest looking suv but on the pluss side its going to be built in germany not alabama so it will atleast have some quality to it. and for a woman this thing might make some sense not for me though i could care less.
Posted by dennisil | April 14, 2008 4:20 PM
Posted on April 14, 2008 16:20
White leather in an SUV....yikes.
Posted by D | April 14, 2008 4:36 PM
Posted on April 14, 2008 16:36
I don't know, I think I actually like the design, although I agree that it does look like a more edgy version of the Subaru Forester.
Now if AMG or even McLaren are allowed to tinker with it, I think it will replace the special spot in my heart currently reserved for the AMG G-Wagon
Posted by Stve | April 14, 2008 8:02 PM
Posted on April 14, 2008 20:02
This is the nicest SUV I've seen since the Aztec.
Posted by Tommy Boy | April 14, 2008 11:27 PM
Posted on April 14, 2008 23:27
C'mon, we're talking about rich Chinese farmers here. Do they care for look? :-)
Posted by Hunu | April 15, 2008 1:30 AM
Posted on April 15, 2008 01:30
hey it's a Subaru Fore...
Darn these car companies these days... always fooling me!!
Posted by GT Fan | April 15, 2008 4:45 AM
Posted on April 15, 2008 04:45
Two things come to mind:
The rims are terribly ugly and the interior is god awful.
That is all.
Posted by Oh Wow | April 15, 2008 11:52 AM
Posted on April 15, 2008 11:52
I don't know why but I actually kind of like this, I mean not for me to drive but sure thing for females. But I think I will stick with the Range Rover
Posted by Josh | April 16, 2008 10:22 AM
Posted on April 16, 2008 10:22
I don't know why but I actually kind of like this, I mean not for me to drive but sure thing for females. But I think I will stick with the Range Rover
Posted by Josh | April 16, 2008 10:22 AM
Posted on April 16, 2008 10:22