Mercedes-Benz Makes its Mark On and Off the Beaten Path at the AJAC 2017 Canadian Car of the Year Awards

TORONTO, Dec. 6, 2016 /CNW/ - Mercedes-Benz Canada is pleased to report that the GLC 300 4MATIC luxury midsize SUV has earned top honours at the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) 2017 Canadian Car of the Year Awards, in the Best New Premium Utility Vehicle segment. The other two Mercedes-Benz vehicles that were entered into the competition, the Mercedes-AMG C 63 S Coupe and the Mercedes-Benz E 300 4MATIC Sedan, both qualified in the top three of their respective categories.

The win qualifies the GLC 300 4MATIC for the last stage of the competition, which will determine the Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year. The final decision will be announced in February 2017 at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto. The best-selling GLC and its previous iteration, the GLK, have been very popular with consumers and journalists alike. In the 2014 competition, the Mercedes-Benz GLK 250 BlueTEC 4MATIC came in second in the Best New SUV/CUV ($35,000 - $60,000) category.

Category winners were decided at the annual AJAC Canadian Car of the Year TestFest event by a highly regarded group of Canadian automotive journalists. In October, they gathered at the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in Clarington, Ontario, to undertake a four-day test drive with the goal of evaluating brand new or significantly changed models. TestFest's rigorous testing program included real-world driving on public roads, a closed race track, and an off-road course. All of the journalists undertook back-to-back drives within their assigned categories, on the same day and under the same conditions, in order to ensure the most fair and objective comparisons possible.

"We could not be happier that one of our most popular vehicles has gotten the kind of recognition it deserves with this win in the Best New Premium Utility Vehicle segment at the Canadian Car of the Year Awards," said Brian D. Fulton, President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Canada. "The light truck market is growing increasingly important for manufacturers, which only makes this win for the GLC 300 4MATIC even sweeter. I would like to thank the AJAC journalists who participated in this worthy competition for affirming our commitment to providing best-in-class vehicles."

About Mercedes-Benz Canada
Mercedes-Benz Canada is responsible for the sales, marketing and service of the Mercedes-Benz and AMG passenger vehicles, Mercedes-Benz Vans and smart. Headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc. employs approximately 1,500 people in 21 locations across Canada. Through a nationwide network of 11 Mercedes-Benz owned retail operations and 46 authorized dealerships, Mercedes-Benz Canada sold 44,526 vehicles in 2015. This represents the best year ever for the company and has positioned Mercedes-Benz as the top luxury manufacturer in Canada for the second consecutive year.

Further information from Mercedes-Benz is available on the internet at: www.media.mercedes-benz.ca

SOURCE Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc.

Image with caption: "Mercedes-Benz Canada is pleased to report that the GLC 300 4MATIC luxury midsize SUV has earned top honours at the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) 2017 Canadian Car of the Year Awards, in the Best New Premium Utility Vehicle segment. (CNW Group/Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20161206_C1231_PHOTO_EN_833099.jpg

For further information: JoAnne Caza, 416-847-7550, [e-mail]; Nathalie Gravel, 416-847-7509, [e-mail]