Shanghai: German carmaker Mercedes on Tuesday announced its strategy to regain a stronger foothold in China by enhancing infotainment features and introducing new products. ‘We will introduce the most efficient and intelligent cars we have ever built,’ stated Mercedes-Benz chief executive Ola K¤llenius in Shanghai, describing the company’s vision as ‘supercomputers on wheels.’
According to News Agency of Nigeria, China remains a critical market for Mercedes, vital for its technical innovations. K¤llenius highlighted the importance of the Chinese market during a meeting with President Xi Jinping, emphasizing the ‘deep friendship’ between China and Mercedes. The company is collaborating with ByteDance, the creator of TikTok, to incorporate its artificial intelligence model into Mercedes vehicles in China.
On the eve of the Shanghai Motor Show, Mercedes unveiled a long-wheelbase version of its CLA electric car tailored for the Chinese market, offering a range of more than 860 kilometers. Additionally, Mercedes presented the Vision V, a concept van not intended for sale, showcasing its innovation prowess.
Mercedes-Benz reported a 7 percent decline in sales for the first quarter, with 529,200 cars and vans sold between January and March compared to the previous year. The company attributed this drop to changes in the entry-level segment models, particularly in Germany, where it hopes the CLA will help boost sales.
Despite still selling more than one in three of its cars in China, Mercedes experienced a 10% decrease in sales in the Chinese market for the first quarter compared to the same period last year. The company now faces fierce competition from domestic manufacturers who are surpassing them in the electric vehicle segment.