The new model is tailor-made for the Chinese market.
– Mercedes-Benz celebrates another milestone in local production with the long-wheelbase version of the new E-Class.
– With more than 175.000 sedans delivered in China since 2002, the E-Class is one of the most important models for Mercedes-Benz in China.
– Hubertus Troska: "Produced in and for China: The long-wheelbase version of the new E-Class underscores our commitment to this key market."
– Vehicles are manufactured according to the latest Mercedes-Benz quality standards at the Beijing plant Beijing Benz Automotive Company Ltd (BBAC).
With more than 175.000 sedans delivered since 2002, the E-Class is one of the most important models for Mercedes-Benz in China. More than one-fifth of the E-Class sedans delivered worldwide in 2012 went to Chinese customers. This makes China the world's second-largest market for the E-Class after the U.S. Recently, the first long version of the new E-Class ran at the Beijing plant Beijing Benz Automotive Company Ltd. (BBAC) from the assembly line and marks another significant milestone for the growth strategy of Daimler and Mercedes-Benz in China. The market launch of the new model took place on 30. August at the Chengdu Auto Show in the west of the country. Key role in rejuvenating the product range in China
"The E-Class has already made history in this important market as the first Mercedes-Benz model produced locally directly in China since 2006," says Hubertus Troska, Daimler's board member for China. "Produced in and for China, the long-wheelbase version of the new E Class underscores our commitment to this key market. The new model is tailored precisely to the needs of our Chinese customers. Thanks to state-of-the-art assistance systems and for the first time with two different faces, the new E-Class plays an important role in rejuvenating our product range in China."The long-wheelbase version of the new E-Class exudes status and aplomb, meeting the demands of Chinese customers. 14 centimeters more legroom in the rear and the longest rear seat in this segment, together with a high-quality interior, ensure a prestigious and homely ambience. Particularly convenient: the front passenger seat and panoramic sunroof can also be adjusted electrically from the rear seat. For the first time, the long E-Class is available with two different fronts: The Sedan gets the classic, three-dimensional sedan radiator grille in a three-slat look with Mercedes star on the hood. The Sport Sedan on the other hand wears the sporty front with central star and thus offers an independent, dynamically accentuated face. Key driver for sustainable growth in China
"Since its introduction in 2010, the long-wheelbase version of the E-Class has always been one of the most important models for Mercedes-Benz in China. At over 40.000 vehicles delivered in 2012, more Chinese customers than ever before opted for this model last year," explains Nicholas Speeks, CEO of the sales company in China, Beijing Mercedes-Benz Sales Service Co., Ltd. (BMBS). "The long version was tailor-made for the requirements of our Chinese customers. We are convinced that the new E-Class will be a key driver of sustainable growth in China."Nothing represents our long-term commitment to China better than local vehicle production," confirms Frank Deiss, CEO of BBAC. "The Beijing plant will become one of the most important production sites for Daimler, demonstrating Mercedes-Benz's high global quality standards through products like our brand-new long-wheelbase version of the E-Class."The E-Class in the long-wheelbase version – followed by the current C-Class and GLK-Class – was the first model that Mercedes-Benz produced locally in its Chinese joint venture BBAC. This ultra-modern plant uses the latest technologies and is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, such as the first automatic filling system in a Mercedes-Benz plant, which allows brake and other fluids to enter the vehicles even more safely and efficiently. Local production at BBAC is being continuously expanded: Two billion euros are being spent, among other things, on increasing capacity for existing model series as well as on the future localization of the GLA, Mercedes-Benz's upcoming compact SUV, and the construction of an engine plant, which started operations in May this year as the first Mercedes-Benz engine plant. The brands' uncompromising commitment to quality is ensured worldwide by the consistent application of the Mercedes-Benz Production System (MPS) and the global quality management system. These globally recognized Mercedes-Benz quality standards are integrated into every step of the production process at BBAC and extend throughout the entire supplier chain. Together with the extensive practical and theoretical training of employees in both China and Germany, this ensures that the locally produced vehicles live up to Mercedes-Benz's motto of "the best or nothing".