Start of Production in Beijing: New long-wheelbase C-Class strengthens Mercedes-Benz’ China portfolio

Frank Deiss (fourth from left), President and CEO Beijing Benz Automotive (BBAC), with team-members at the production line, celebrating the first Mercedes-Benz Long-wheelbase C-Class in Beijing

• As part of the global production network for the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Beijing Benz Automotive Co., Ltd. (BBAC) is the fourth site in less than six months to start production.  
• The first ever long-wheelbase version of the C-Class for the local market marks another key milestone for Daimler’s China strategy
• Hubertus Troska: “The C-Class is at the core of our development in China and destined to become one of our top growth drivers here.”
• Close cooperation and exchange between worldwide C-Class sites assures top quality on a global level

BEIJING/STUTTGART : July 29, 2014 – Mercedes-Benz for the first time has started production of a long-wheelbase version of the C-Class. Not even six months after the start of production of the new C-Class in Bremen, Germany, the first long-wheelbase C-Class model has rolled off its production line at Beijing Benz Automotive Co., Ltd. (BBAC) in China. The model, which will be launched in China starting this September, is an important addition to Mercedes-Benz’ portfolio and marks another key milestone in Daimler’s China strategy.

“The C-Class is at the core of our development in China. With more than 150,000 vehicles of the predecessor model delivered to customers, China has already become the second-largest market for the C-Class,” says Hubertus Troska, member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG responsible for China. “Now we are taking the next step: designed and developed for China, produced exclusively in China, our all-new long-wheelbase C-Class is destined to become one of our top growth drivers here.”

Frank Deiss, President and CEO of BBAC: “Given its production in four plants on four continents, the C-Class sedan is our most global model. As a part of Mercedes-Benz’ global production network, we are committed to deliver ‘The best or nothing’ – in Beijing, like elsewhere. This has always been a driving factor of our great success in the past, and will continue to be so in the future.”

Markus Schäfer, Divisional Board Member Mercedes-Benz Cars, Production and Supply Chain Management: “The start of the C-Class’ production in Beijing marks the final jigsaw piece in creating a flexible and highly efficient production network on four continents. Such a global ramp up within less than six month is unparalleled in the premium segment so far.”

The Bremen plant, in its capacity as the so-called lead plant, is guiding the global production of the C-Class – from the tooling strategy to the training of colleagues from international plants to production quality. With this, the company ensures top quality at all its production sites from the outset. In total, some 500 employees from international plants in East London/South Africa, Tuscaloosa/USA, and Beijing/China completed intensive training in Germany in order to pass on their knowledge as multipliers in their respective home plants - among them more than 150 from Beijing.

The new long-wheelbase C-Class

With a wheelbase that is an extra 8 centimeters long, the long-wheelbase version of the C-Class offers its passengers the highest level of comfort with maximized backseat legroom. For even more comfort, the front row passenger seat can be adjusted by passengers sitting in the back seat.

With more advanced technology and a full range of assistant systems including a semi-autonomous driving pilot and an innovative touchpad that allows for operations of the head unit functions through Chinese handwriting, the new long-wheelbase C-Class also offers maximum safety and the latest in technology in its segment.

The engines powering the new C-Class are locally produced at BBAC in Beijing as well at Mercedes-Benz’ first ever passenger car engine plant outside of Germany.

[Source : DAIMLER]