Mercedes-Benz, the Germany-based luxury carmaker, is aiming even higher sales numbers in the world's largest auto market, where its premium sedans and SUVs have been scoring great sales performances despite a sluggish overall market in China.
"We did very well so far in 2015, and with our new products lineup, we are confident that we will do great again next year," Hubertus Troska, Member of the Board of Management Daimler AG, responsible for China activities, told reporters at a press event Friday on the sidelines of this years Guangzhou auto show.
The company said it sold more than 290,000 passenger cars in China in the first ten months of the year, a year-on-year increase of 34 percent, and sales reached 300,000 units as of the start of the auto show, with year-end sales performance expected to be "significantly over that."
And with a comprehensive lineup of 39 eye-catching new models presented at one of the largest auto shows in China, held in Guangzhou, capital of South China's Guangdong Province, the German luxury marque expects to further boost its strong sales.
At the auto show, which opened on Friday and runs through November 29, Mercedes-Benz showcased a wide array of new models that included locally produced All New GLC SUVs, high-end S-Class sedan, and smart forfour.
The highlight was the All New GLC SUV, which officially hit the market at a ceremony held in Guangzhou ahead of the auto show. The GLC SUV comes with five variants, including the GLC 200 4MATIC, GLC 260 4MATIC and GLC 300 4MATIC, , which were priced from 396,000 yuan ($62,053) to 579,000 ($90.724) yuan.
Adding to large-sized GLE SUVs, and with its outstanding safety features, state-of-the-art assistance systems and high energy efficiency, the GLC SUV will be a success in a booming SUV market in China, said Duan Jianjun, Executive Vice President, responsible for Sales and Marketing of Beijing Mercedes-Benz Sales Service Co.
Duan said SUVs account for a large portion of the company's sales in China, with 4 of every 10 Mercedes-Benz cars sold being SUVs.
Another highlight of the Mercedes-Benz lineup at the auto show was two new Mercedes-Benz Plug-in Hybrid models: the S 500 e L combines a modern hybrid drive with innovative technologies and luxury equipment unique to the S-Class and the All New C 350 e L plug-in hybrid being Mercedes-Benz's first locally produced Plug-in Hybrid model in China that sets new standards in its segment. "The two Plug-In Hybrid sedans represent the future of sedans," said Duan.
Also being displayed at the show are the Mercedes-AMG A 45 4MATIC, G 63 Edition 463, and versions of GLA 200 and the high-end SL 400, and the smart forfour, a 4-door smart car.
Troska said that China's status as the world's largest passenger car market will persist, and the market for luxury cars still has room to grow, while noting China played a "significant role" in the company's global sales of 1.5 million, up 15 percent year-on-year.
Mercedes-Benz said it will continue to make investments in China to bring more models with the latest technologies to the Chinese customers, including new-energy vehicles. And enhancing costumer experience at its vast dealership network, which expected to reach 500 by the year end, is high on the company's agenda for China.
"As the Chinese auto market continues to maturing and become more competitive, customer focus is more important than ever, and that's what we will work on going forward," said Troska.
