FILE PHOTO: Daimler AG CEO Dieter Zetsche speaks at the company’s annual news conference in Stuttgart, Germany, February 6, 2019. REUTERS/Michael Dalder
(Reuters) – Daimler AG Chief Executive Officer Dieter Zetsche said the German automaker would add a new compact SUV to its lineup later this year.
Zetsche at an event in Shanghai on Monday unveiled what he called a concept for a compact Mercedes GLB with seating for seven and rugged off-road tires.
Zetsche said the GLB would not remain a concept for long, and promised the unveiling of a production version by this summer.
In China, Mercedes has declared 2019 the “year of the SUV”, reflecting the growing popularity of such vehicles in the world’s largest car market.
Reporting by Joseph White in Shanghai; Editing by Shounak Dasgupta