26th March 2023 – (Shanghai) Mercedes-Benz’s chairman of the Board of Management, Ola Kaellenius, has expressed confidence in the Chinese market, citing it as a key player in the automaker’s continued growth. Speaking to Xinhua, Kaellenius praised China’s success story, highlighting its role in the automaker’s growth over the last decade. China remains the world’s largest automobile market, selling almost as many vehicles as the European and U.S. markets combined, and Mercedes-Benz is set to capitalize on this trend. The company plans to introduce 16 new models to the Chinese market this year, with a focus on luxury vehicles.
Mercedes-Benz is set to introduce 16 new models to the Chinese market later this year. The luxury automaker’s CEO, Ola Kaellenius, has praised China’s success story and its role in the company’s growth over the last decade. With China remaining the world’s largest automobile market, selling almost as many vehicles as the European and U.S. markets combined, Mercedes-Benz is looking to capitalise on this trend. The new models set for launch this year include a mix of luxury cars and SUVs, tailored to the needs of the Chinese market.
According to Kaellenius, Mercedes-Benz’s business in China is deeply intertwined with its global business network. The company’s comprehensive R&D network in Beijing and Shanghai allows it to rapidly develop the latest technological innovations tailored to the needs of the Chinese market. Looking back into the last 20 to 30 years, Kaellenius said China has been opening up its economy to become an integral part of the global economy. Technologies and products have found their way into China, and China has become a leading manufacturing and technology hub in turn.
Mercedes-Benz delivered over 750,000 passenger vehicles in China last year, comprising around one-third of its global sales. Kaellenius aims to double down on strengthening the company’s presence in China, calling it an “exciting market to test what we have in the pipeline.” With China’s economy set to grow in tandem with the booming automotive market, Mercedes-Benz is poised to benefit from the country’s continued success story. The company plans to increase its investments in China in the coming years, taking advantage of the country’s further opening up.
Kaellenius is scheduled to visit the upcoming Auto Shanghai exhibition in April, where the all-electric Maybach EQS SUV will debut. The company chose Shanghai to showcase the new model because China is the biggest market for the Maybach brand. “It’s no coincidence that we’re picking a Chinese auto show to launch this vehicle,” he added. With China’s growing demand for luxury cars, Mercedes-Benz is set to capitalize on this trend with the launch of its latest model, tailored specifically to the needs of the Chinese market.
