Mercedes-Benz starts production of new LWB E-Class in China

Mercedes-Benz has started the production of the long-wheelbase version of the E-Class in China. The vehicles are flexibly manufactured at the Chinese joint venture Beijing Benz Automotive Co (BBAC) on the same line as the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. The previous model had been locally produced at BBAC since 2010.

Hubertus Troska, member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, responsible for Greater China, said, “Sustainable growth in the world's largest car market calls for products ‘Made in China, for China’. The new long-wheelbase version of the E-Class is the third generation to be produced by BBAC. It is precisely tailored to Chinese customers and was to a major extent developed in China.”

The production start of the all new E-Class is another milestone in the Sino-German cooperation between Daimler and BAIC. The engines for the new E-Class are also being produced at the BBAC plant.

The joint venture BBAC successfully commemorated its 10^th anniversary in 2015. Earlier this week, the partners announced to invest more than €500 million (Rs 3,800 crore) in further expansion of the Beijing-based BBAC engine plant.

In 2015, the Chinese joint venture BBAC produced around 250,000 vehicles including the long-wheelbase version of the E-Class as well as the C-Class, GLA and GLC.

“The plant in Beijing is a key element in the flexible and efficient production network of Mercedes-Benz Cars. With the start of production of the new E-Class we are consistently pursuing our global growth strategy,” said Markus Schäfer, Member of the Divisional Board of Management Mercedes-Benz Cars, Production and Supply Chain Management.

Peter Schabert, president & CEO of BBAC further commented: “With the production of front- and rear-wheel-drive vehicles as well as engines, our team in Beijing shows its vast know-how while demonstrating its flexibility. In terms of surface area, BBAC is already the largest Mercedes-Benz car plant in the world and we are ideally placed for further growth.”

New E-Class marks milestone in autonomous driving

The all-new E-Class marks the serial production of numerous pioneering intelligent concepts, making it a milestone on the road towards fully autonomous driving. For example, the Drive Pilot can automatically keep the correct distance to vehicles in front and follow them in a speed range up to 210 kph, while being able to provide considerable support to the driver with steering. Furthermore, the vehicle helps the driver to brake or even change lanes automatically.

The long-wheelbase version of the new E-Class “Made in China, for China” also offers an even more spacious rear compartment with a first-class character. It exceeds the globally marketed E-Class sedan in both wheelbase (3079 millimeters) and length (5063 millimeters) by 140 millimeters. The rear-compartment of the five-seater offers its occupants an extra 134 millimeters of legroom. The sedan is frequently used in China as a chauffeur-driven vehicle, as customers value the longer footwell. The increased legroom also facilitates passenger entry and exit.

In recent years, an average of one customer in three opting in China for a new long-wheelbase E-Class was previously the owner of a vehicle from a different manufacturer. A total of 232,453 units of the E-Class saloon and estate model were sold worldwide in 2015. With overall 13 million units sold globally, the E-Class is the best-selling vehicle for Mercedes-Benz. With its launch in late 2016, the new long-wheelbase version is expected to become a growth driver for Mercedes-Benz in China.

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