The Mercedes-Benz GLE, formerly known as the M-Class, is a mid-size luxury SUV manufactured by the German automaker Mercedes-Benz since 1997. Positioned between the smaller GLC and the larger GLS in terms of size, the GLE shares platforms with the latter. The first-generation M-Class, coded as W163, was a body-on-frame SUV produced until 2004 and was initially manufactured in both Europe and the USA before full production was centralized in the US plant in Alabama.

The second generation of the M-Class, known as W164, transitioned to a unibody platform while sharing many components with the GL-Class. The GL-Class is a larger SUV designed to accommodate third-row seating. The W164 M-Class manufacturing was also notably outsourced to Magna Steyr in Austria between 1999 and 2002 to cater to the European market.

Key Points:
1. The Mercedes-Benz GLE is a mid-size luxury SUV slotted between the GLC and GLS models.
2. The original M-Class (W163) was a body-on-frame SUV produced until 2004.
3. Production of the M-Class shifted from Europe to the USA in 2002.
4. The second-generation M-Class (W164) moved to a unibody platform and shared components with the larger GL-Class.
5. The GL-Class has a longer body to accommodate third-row seating.

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