Auto China 2013: Mercedes-Benz sets a clear course in China

With attractive new products and an optimised sales structure, Mercedes-Benz is setting a clear course for sustainable growth in the key market of China. The previously separate sales businesses for imported and locally produced vehicle have been merged. At the head of Beijing Mercedes-Benz Sales Service Co. Ltd. is Nicholas Speeks, who has been President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz (China) Limited since 1st December and reports directly to the Daimler China Board Hubertus Troska. Tailor-made for the Chinese market is the new long-wheelbase E-Class produced in Beijing and celebrating its world premiere at Auto Shanghai. In another world first, Mercedes-Benz is also presenting the Concept GLA. The close-to-production study provides a preview of the forthcoming GLA-Class, the compact premium SUV with the three-pointed star. And celebrating is market launch is the new A-Class, with which Mercedes-Benz now intends to attract new target groups in the Middle Kingdom, too.

The new A-Class is launching in China just a few months after making its highly successful debut on the European market. Sales of the all-new Mercedes entry model virtually doubled there during the first quarter compared with the previous year. Among the most important reasons for purchase are the independent and distinctly sporty design and the extremely sporty handling characteristics.

The success story of the new A-Class began exactly two years ago at Auto Shanghai. “We unveiled the Concept A-Class here in 2011 and, with it, announced not only a great car, but also great plans,” said Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars speaking at today’s Mercedes-Benz press conference at Asia’s most important auto show next to Auto China in Beijing. “We promised that the new A-Class would represent ‘the pulse of a new generation’ – and this is what we delivered. The A-Class is a great success. In its native market buyers are an average of ten years younger, more than 40 percent of customers come from other brands and, after the first quarter, the A-Class is lying well ahead of its direct competitors.”

Mercedes-Benz Cars sold more than 200,000 cars in China in 2012. By 2015, its sales figures are set to rise to over 300,000. Dr Zetsche: “A large part of this growth will be generated by our compact models, because they are the perfect proposition in a still growing market, where the demand for smaller premium vehicles continues to increase rapidly.”

The new long-wheelbase E-Class – from China for China

The E-Class is a traditional core product for Mercedes-Benz in China. The new model with the long wheelbase comes, likes its predecessor, from local production and is celebrating its world premiere at Auto Shanghai. With new, highly efficient engines and innovative driver assistance systems, the new generation of the successful business sedan combines efficient driving fun and active safety at the very highest level. The comprehensive safety concept includes systems that, for the first time, can prevent accidents with vehicles approaching from the side.

As in all markets worldwide, E-Class customers in China also have the choice between two standalone characters. Hubertus Troska: “The distinctly dynamic variant ‘Sport Sedan’ carries the star in its radiator grille and is aimed at customers with a sporty orientation. In parallel, we are also offering the classically elegant version ‘E-Class Sedan’ – for me the perfect business sedan - which has its star on the hood and thus stresses the traditional Mercedes brand values.”

Both versions are available for the first time with full-LED headlamps. The interior harmonises with the highly distinctive exterior. Fine materials and meticulous craftsmanship applied with great attention to detail underscore the premium look-and-feel of the generously proportioned interior.

“Like the new A-Class, the new E-Class has also enjoyed a highly successful start in Europe,” says Troska. “Customers and press alike have given it an enthusiastic welcome and I am convinced that we will continue that success story here in China.”

The A-Class and E-Class making their debuts in Shanghai are the first of a total of around 20 new and facelifted models that Mercedes-Benz is scheduled to launch by 2015 in the world’s largest car market. One more highly promising newcomer that is already waiting in the wings also celebrated its world premiere in Shanghai today - the concept GLA, the harbinger of a particularly sporty compact SUV from Mercedes-Benz.

>> More details on the new E-Class Long

Concept GLA – escape the everyday

The Concept GLA combines dynamic design and modern technology with a high degree of leisure value. Beneath the hood of the show car is the 155 kW (211 hp) two-litre turbocharged gasoline engine. Its power is transmitted by the innovative 7G-DCT dual-clutch gearbox to the extremely lightweight and compact 4MATIC all-wheel drive that Mercedes-Benz developed specifically for its new premium compact cars.

Dr. Zetsche: “We began the A-Class success story here in Shanghai in 2011. Two years later, on exactly the same spot, we are presenting the Concept GLA, which provides a preview of the sportiest model in the compact premium SUV segment – an extremely interesting vehicle that brings additional momentum to our ongoing offensive in the compact premium class. Just like the A-class, the GLA offers an attractive overall package – also for customers who perhaps, until now, have not had our brand on their shopping list.”

>> More details on the Concept GLA


100 years of Mercedes-Benz in China – looking forward

2013 marks an important anniversary in China for the inventor of the automobile: It was 100 years ago, in 1913, that Daimler opened its first sales office in the Middle Kingdom. Now the existing Mercedes dealer network is being expanded with additional locations. “Today,” says Dr. Zetsche, “we have more than 260 Mercedes dealers in China. This year alone, we will add at least 50 additional outlets.”

Credits: Daimler AG

Copyright © 2013, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

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Limited edition of smart forjeremy goes into series production: Haute couture on four wheels

The smart forjeremy is going into series production. At the Shanghai Auto Show (21 to 29 April 2013), smart will be showcasing the unique model created together with internationally renowned fashion designer Jeremy Scott, which will be available as an extremely limited special edition licensed for road use. With its striking wings at the rear, the vehicle retains a central design element of the original show car. Production is scheduled to begin in April 2013. The smart fortwo edition by Jeremy Scott is available as a coupé with either a local emission-free electric drive, BRABUS electric drive or a powerful BRABUS 75 kW petrol engine.

Jeremy Scott gives smart wings – the most eye-catching feature of the new smart fortwo edition by Jeremy Scott is the two vertical wings just above its rear lights. As Jeremy Scott explains: “I wanted to design something out of the ordinary, something that expressed my dreams and fantasies and that transferred my fashion ideas to automotive design. I see myself driving this car and can well imagine my friends and cool people all over the world loving the unique design of this smart.”

The tridion safety cell, door mirror caps and radiator grille are all painted in alubeam. By contrast, the bodypanels and 16”/17” Monoblock alloy wheels are finished in polar white in the BRABUS drive variants. The mirror triangle and rear lid are embellished by logos and lettering featuring the words “by Jeremy Scott”.

White is also the dominant colour in the interior, together with fine materials: the seats, door centre panels, gear knob (petrol version only) and kneepad are all tailor made with white, embossed leather complete with white stitching. The diamond stitching on the seat surfaces and backs is also found on the door centre panel. The top part of the instrument panel is covered with embossed black tailor made leather and also boasts white contrast stitching. The 3-spoke sports steering wheel is covered with white leather.

A pleasing contrast is created by the dashboard instruments, the trim to the side of the instrument panel and the gearshift trim, all of which are finished in alubeam. The classy look is underlined by black velours floor mats with white leather trim and “Jeremy Scott” in elegant lettering.

A choice of three engines

The exclusive special model is available with three different engine versions. All vehicles will be built by smart-BRABUS GmbH in a tailor made manufacturing process:

- smart fortwo edition by Jeremy Scott electric drive: with a 55 kW electric motor

- smart fortwo edition by Jeremy Scott BRABUS electric drive: with a 60 kW electric motor

- smart fortwo edition by Jeremy Scott BRABUS: with a 75 kW petrol engine

Exuberant creations: Jeremy Scott

Wings are one of the recurring design elements used by Jeremy Scott to great effect. Be it sweatshirts, sunglasses, watches or sneakers, winged motifs crop up again and again in his collections. Jeremy Scott is regarded as the last rebel of the fashion scene. When it comes to style and design, he knows neither boundaries nor conventions. His polarising impact has established him as a pop icon and a creator of exceptional fashion designs. Many stars from the music scene have embraced his avant-garde creations – they are worn by leading names such as Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Katy Perry, Madonna, Björk and Kanye West.

Born in Kansas, Missouri, Jeremy Scott first went to New York in 1992 to study fashion design at the Pratt Institute, one of the leading schools of art and design in the USA. After graduating in 1996, he made a beeline for Paris to launch his design career at the tender age of 21. In 1996 and 1997, he won the “Venus de la Mode Award” for the “Best New Designer” and was nominated for the “Best Young Designer” award by the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) in 1999. In 2001, the award-winning wunderkind returned to the USA to take up residence in Los Angeles.

Here is an overview of the prices:

Credits: Daimler AG

Copyright © 2013, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

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