Mercedes-Benz heralds new epoch with diversified lineup

German automaker introduces premiere models after achieving best first quarter in its biggest market

German automaker Mercedes-Benz is showcasing a diversified lineup of 38 vehicles at the ongoing Auto Shanghai as part of its efforts to herald a new era of development in China.

Of them around a dozen made their global or China debuts on Tuesday, including the all-new GLE SUV, the all-new EQC SUV, the all-new AMG A 35 L 4MATIC and the Concept GLB.

"China has grown to be the biggest market for Mercedes-Benz today - with yet another strong sales kicko and our best-ever first quarter," said Dieter Zetsche, chairman of the board of management of Daimler AG and head of Mercedes-Benz Cars.

Mercedes-Benz delivered some 177,000 units to Chinese customers from January to March, setting another sales record in the country.

"China has also become a second home to us," Zetsche said. "We've gotten to know your likes and preferences better and better."

The all-new EQC, for instance, is the first locally produced premium midsize SUV in China, and is expected to be launched at the end of the year.

"With the EQC, we are introducing our first all-electric vehicle under our brand for electric intelligence: EQ," said Hubertus Troska, member of the board of management of Daimler AG responsible for China.

The company delivered the same high safety standards that customers and fans recognize from all other Mercedes models, according to Troska.

Tested to the most rigorous Mercedes-Benz standards, the EQC prototypes and production vehicles are scheduled for more than 4.5 million kilometers of testing, including at least 250,000 held in China, he told China Daily.

"It is 100 percent electric and 100 percent Mercedes," Troska concluded.

"Looking ahead, we are planning to offer more than 10 purely electric vehicles worldwide within the next years, and we strive to build most of them locally here in China," he said.

Meanwhile, the company launched its much-anticipated all-new GLE SUV with the first batch in three variants - GLE 350 4MATIC Style, GLE 350 4MATIC Luxury and GLE 450 4MATIC Style, with prices ranging from 727,800 yuan to 843,800 yuan ($108,471 to $125,641).

"Having defined the idea and shaped the marketplace since 1997, the all-new GLE from Mercedes-Benz takes a further step forward in both design and features to reconceive what a premium SUV should be," said Nicholas Speeks, president and CEO of Beijing Mercedes-Benz Sales Service.

This model is now on sale nationwide and it is the first of 10 new SUV models due to be introduced to the Chinese market in 2019, according to Speeks.

The debut of this model kicked of the company's "Year of the SUV" in China and demonstrated its dedication and commitment to its largest market in the world.

As a Chinese company, BMBS has also made significant efforts in innovation to optimize the Mercedes-Benz brand and extend its meaning beyond cars and engines.

By April, their female community of "She's Mercedes" has accumulated a total of nearly 200,000 active members and their third Mercedes me store in China will be unveiled in Chengdu, in Sichuan province, in just two weeks.

"We are a brand and a group of people 'untiringly in pursuit of the best' and we are grateful to our Chinese friends and partners for the opportunity to contribute, in that spirit, our small share to the continuing development of a great nation and a great people," he said.

The all-new Mercedes-Benz GLE SUV, upgraded from its exterior to its interior, brings an unprecedented level of comfort and the most cutting-edge technology and versatility.

With enhanced on- and off-road performance, it creates an experience for the occupants that goes beyond their expectations.

The all-new GLE 450 4MATIC with in-line 6-cylinder engine, is equipped with 48-volt onboard system, optimizing the efficiency. The newly upgraded AIRMATIC is unique in the segment, which enhanced its off-road capability.

In addition, the all-new EQC SUV inherits the brand's 133-year heritage and manufacturing techniques. It brings consistent driving safety.

With its entirely new design philosophy of "progressive luxury" and Mercedes-Benz's cutting-edge intelligent drive technology, it has launched comprehensive worry-free services related to electric mobility for the market to meet or even exceed customer expectations.

Moreover, attendees on Tuesday witnessed further expansions of the German automaker's compact car lineup with the Concept GLB, bringing a stylish coupelike design.

This model places more emphasis on spaciousness and robustness. It is a durable and practical SUV, as thrilling as a generous, seven-seater family car as it is as a versatile recreational vehicle.

Its series-production version is soon to be locally produced later this year, but a worldwide unveiling is expected in the summer beforehand.

The Mercedes-AMG model range has also seen expansion and changes thanks to the all-new Mercedes-AMG A 35 L Sedan, which sets a milestone for the company as not only the very first 35-series model to be launched in the Chinese market, but also the first AMG model produced outside Germany.

With 4-cylinder inline turbo engine, it offers power output up to 225 kW and max torque at 400 Nm, and accelerates from 0-100 km/h in just 4.9 seconds, which opens a new gateway into the world of driving performance.

For those at the top end of the market, the Mercedes-Benz S 560 e L brings the brand's very latest plug-in hybrid technology to the flagship of the S-Class family.

Also celebrating their market premieres and sporting brand new designs were the all-new A-Class and B-Class to bring even more surprise to the auto show audiences.

"Looking ahead, we can't wait to show you more exciting products we've planned for 2019 and the years to come. You've still got a lot more to expect from Mercedes," Zetsche concluded.

lifusheng@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 04/17/2019 page15)