The Benzification Of China

Bertel Schmitt
by Bertel Schmitt

Mercedes-Benz continues its long march forward in China. In February, “Benz” (as the locals call the brand here) racked in a 160 percent growth. 7,200 additional Benzes graced China’s roads by end of February.

With more than 15,300 units sold in the first two months of the year, up 155 percent, Mercedes-Benz calls itself the fastest-growing luxury brand in China, Gasgoo reports.

Imports of the S-Class grew by 115 percent in February, cementing China as the world’s biggest S-Class market. The new generation S-Class is extremely popular amongst China’s well-to-do.

The all-new E-Class became Mercedes-Benz’s top-selling model in China last month, with total sales nearing 4,000 units for the first two months. The E-Class used to be locally made. Currently, it is imported until Daimler’s joint venture partner BAIC has updated their production. A long series, a favorite in China, where everybody who’s somebody leaves the driving to a driver, will be part of the E-Class lineup once production resumes in China.

The locally produced C-Class sold 1,400 sedans.

Daimler said its global sales were up 8.9 percent year on year in February to 78,700 cars, with China providing a good deal of the growth.

Bertel Schmitt
Bertel Schmitt

Bertel Schmitt comes back to journalism after taking a 35 year break in advertising and marketing. He ran and owned advertising agencies in Duesseldorf, Germany, and New York City. Volkswagen A.G. was Bertel's most important corporate account. Schmitt's advertising and marketing career touched many corners of the industry with a special focus on automotive products and services. Since 2004, he lives in Japan and China with his wife <a href="http://www.tomokoandbertel.com"> Tomoko </a>. Bertel Schmitt is a founding board member of the <a href="http://www.offshoresuperseries.com"> Offshore Super Series </a>, an American offshore powerboat racing organization. He is co-owner of the racing team Typhoon.

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  • CyCarConsulting CyCarConsulting on Mar 18, 2010

    Like the U.S., Chinese men will buy anything to get chicks.

  • Stingray Stingray on Mar 18, 2010

    They call them Benz in Iran too. And it has a higher status than a BMW. Seen as an investment

  • Mhadi Mhadi on Mar 18, 2010

    Still living in the past, under the assumption the Mercedes stands for top quality, solid cars that last a lifetime. Ha.

  • Stuttgart Stuttgart on Mar 18, 2010

    I own Benzes from the early '90s (when their quality was evidently the highest) and the early 2000's, and I can say after putting 230,000 miles on a 2002 C320 that their quality has stayed the same if not gotten better.

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