Made by Mercedes-Benz
---- Mercedes-Benz at Auto China 2004
• Auto China 2004 has become, in terms of floor area, Mercedes-Benz's second largest auto show stand after IAA 2003 in Frankfurt , Germany , with a total display area of 3,400-square-metre exhibition area in Hall No 5.
• Under the umbrella theme of ”°Made by Mercedes-Benz,”± Mercedes-Benz brings to Auto China 2004 a total of 21 exclusive, top-of-the-range products including the SLR, SLK, AMG products, F1 show car and the super luxurious Maybach which makes its debut in China.
• May 2004, the project proposal between DaimlerChrysler AG and Beijing Automotive Industry Co. to manufacture C-Class and E-Class sedans was approved by the State Development and Reform Commission, which marks an important step in the approval process for the planned production of Mercedes-Benz vehicles in China.
• Mercedes-Benz China delivered 12,000 cars in China and HK last year. 42 Mercedes-Benz authorized retail and service centers have been established. By the end of this year, the figure will be expanded to over 50, further strengthening the service network for the 135,000 Mercedes-Benz users in China .
• After-sales element integrated as a part of the Mercedes-Benz brand experience, with the highlight of the Mercedes-Benz collection, mountain bikes, child safety seat, children's car, and customer care.
June 9, 2004, Beijing
Once again, the Chinese public focuses on Mercedes-Benz during the Eighth China International Auto Show that is held from June 9 to 16 at the China International Exhibition Center (CIEC), Beijing . Twenty-one products, some of which make their debut in China , taking up the entire Hall5, demonstrating to 1.3 billion Chinese that the over 110-year-old automobile giant is unique in its brand and product offerings with its leading-edge technological innovations.
Different from previous years, Mercedes-Benz has, in this year's Auto China , demonstrated its commitment to the China market with the staging of a magnificent stand spanning an exhibition area of 3,400 square meters. This is the largest stand by any single luxury car brand at the show.
T he unique Mercedes-Benz stand design, derived as a scaled-down version of the Frankfurt Motor Show 2003 is designed by the same architects, Kauffmann Theilig and Partners.
The dual-level stand takes full advantage of the space and ceiling of Hall 5, with distinguished products and features that convey to the audience the brand's long heritage as a maker of luxury cars to its present technological innovation.
Audio-visual elements are integrated into the overall stand design with videos of the new products such as the new SLK, SLR, F1, and core models such as S-Class, E-Class, C-Class.
The new SLK launched in China simultaneously with the global market, catches public attention as the first debut in Auto China . The compact two-seater boasts an exquisite overall design with vario-roof, and remains true to its reputation as a trendsetter and technological leader in this category of sports cars. From recent record, SLK has won more than 40 international honors since its launch in the mid-1990s.
Set for local assembly, the E-Class and C-Class luxury saloons are also features at the show. The E-Class development that cost 2 billion euros and took 54 months in is ”°everything Mercedes-Benz knows in one car”±. It is the perfect combination of dynamic appearance, comfortable ride and cutting-edge innovations and technologies, designed to meet the demands of executives in the new economy who enjoys the self-drive experience.
The compact yet confident C-Class saloon possesses not only sporty and energetic characteristics but also the inherent safety standard, top quality and unparallel driving comfort of a Mercedes-Benz. Targeted at the young, up-and-coming executives, the C-Class befits the generation looking for smart, sporty mobility that suits their lifestyle.
From year 2003, Mercedes-Benz customers have a choice of luxury car models with factory-integrated special-protection features.
Topping the Mercedes-Benz Guard range, the new top model, the twelve-cylinder S 600, with factory-integrated special-protection features rated to the European B4 (High-Protection) or B6/B7 (Highest-Protection) resistance levels. Depending on the degree of protection selected, the bodies of these vehicles, which have been tested successfully by independent organisations, can withstand attack by pistols, rifles, hand grenades or explosive charges.
With its newly developed bi-turbo power plant which has an output of 368 kW/500 hp, the S 600 -- the top Mercedes-Benz Guard model -- is the most powerful saloon in its class. The twelve-cylinder engine develops its maximum torque of 800 Nm from just 1800 rpm.
Mercedes-Benz brings to China the ”°Silver Arrow of the 21st Century”±, the McLaren-Mercedes SLR and the legendary 300SL ”®Gull-wing'.
The SLR super sports car, with its styling elements mirroring the Formula 1 Silver Arrows, was built on the legacy of the famous SLR race cars of the 1950s and creates a distinctive image for itself as a 21st-century Gran Turismo - a thrilling synthesis of tradition and innovation.
The early predecessor to the SLR, the 300SL represents style and technology from Mercedes-Benz's heritage. As a pure sports car, the Mercedes-Benz 300SL at the beginning of the 1950s was fabulously successful in all the major motor sports events, and the 300SL established an enduring image for Mercedes-Benz within racing circles.
The advantages of Mercedes-Benz in the domain of motorsport are comprehensively represented by the McLaren-Mercedes F1 race car as well as the AMG series.
The McLaren-Mercedes team's ascension to a top 3 position is owing to the support of this silver and black F1 race car with its clearly thought out design, representing the highest level of technological accomplishment for Mercedes.
The AMG line also represents the extraordinary influence of Mercedes-Benz in the motor sports industry. Representing one of the most powerful brands of the Mercedes Automobile Corporation, AMG series cars are equipped with extremely powerful V6, V8 and even V12 engines, allowing superior performance nearly identical to the top racing cars. Among them, the SLK 55 AMG has been selected as the current F1 safety car owing to its superior quality.
Among the many cars on display are the ultra-luxury Maybach limousines. The most luxurious of all automobiles under the Mercedes-Benz banner, the Maybach limousines are the only automobile worldwide to surpass Rolls-Royce in popularity. Not only is this year's exhibition the first appearance of the Maybach in China 's Mainland market, but also marks the formal introduction of the Maybach to this market. It is reported that the Maybach 62, the top of the Maybach range, already has two owners in China with Mercedes-Benz holding a hand-over ceremony to honor the buyers with the presentation of two crystal keys by Dr. Schmidt, Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing of Mercedes Car Group.
”°Many classic designs on display here to the Chinese masses met with huge success in the world market, and these automobiles continue to maintain a leading position in the global luxury automobile market,”± said Dr. Schmidt, who arrived in from Germany especially for the occasion of the Auto China.
”°Since it was born over 110 years ago, Mercedes-Benz has never stopped its step in the pursuit of innovations and technological perfections. This is clearly reflected in every single product that we are displaying today. From our Mercedes-Benz core products to the trendy new niche models as well as the Maybach, we are proud to present all these products ”®Made by Mercedes-Benz'”± said Peter Honegg, President of Mercedes-Benz China Ltd.
”°The spirit of Mercedes-Benz embodied in our products, represents perpetual legend and classic,”± explains Anthea Wang, PR Manager of Mercedes-Benz China Limited.
In addition to displaying over 20 automobile models, Mercedes-Benz has also specially established an area for after sales service located on the top floor of the exhibition hall. Items on display include collapsible mountain bikes, baby seats, and Mercedes-Benz toy cars etc., compromising a full line of special products with remarkable personality. Throughout the exhibition, Mercedes-Benz will also offer visitors information on the importance of safety belt use, which reflects Mercedes-Benz's care for its customers.
In the 20 years following its entry into the China 's market, Mercedes-Benz is making active and fast paced improvements to its after sales service support. Till now, 42 Mercedes-Benz authorised retail and service centers have been established. By the end of this year, the figure will be expanded to 50, making the 135,000 Mercedes-Benz users in China benefit from more the further strengthened service network.
Since the end of last year, DaimlerChrysler has made a deal to jointly produce Mercedes-Benz light commercial vehicles with the Fujian Automobile Industry Corporation. May 2004, the cooperative project between the German carmaker and Beijing Automotive Industry Co. to manufacture C-Class and E-Class sedans was approved by the State Development and Reform Commission, symbolizing Mercedes-Benz becoming the only international automaker able to produce both commercial vehicles and passenger cars in China .
”° China plays a crucial part in our global strategy,”± said Dr. Schmidt, ”°We will definitely continue to increase the investment in China . Besides the locally produced models, we will introduce more new products to this growing market, therefore to make Chinese public to perceive the heritable yet classical elements of Mercedes-Benz.”±
”°Our business in China has just entered a new stage. Now we have finished the essential works on product distribution and after-sales network expansion. The next step is to usher in more of our comprehensive product ranges for Chinese public.”± Said Mr. Honegg.
ith the commitment and investments in China , Mercedes-Benz, the leading luxury car brand with over one hundred years of history, will join hands with Chinese automakers to propel China 's booming automobile industry to even greater heights.