Klaus Maier, president of Mercedes-Benz China named CEO of 2009

[Wolfgang]

Klaus Maier, president of Mercedes-Benz China named CEO of 2009


shanghai.gov.cn

Klaus Maier, president and CEO of Mercedes-Benz China Ltd, was recently named CEO of the Year (2009) by sina.com.cn, a leading Chinese Internet portal. It was the second time Maier received the award.

Last year was Mercedes' best in the 23 years it has operated in China as sales surged 77 percent to 68,541 vehicles, the fastest pace in the luxury car market.

Such rapid growth made China the fourth-biggest market for Mercedes-Benz worldwide. Maier attributed the success to several factors including an increasingly diversified product lineup, consistent customer service and enriched brand values.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/bizchina/2010-01/25/content_9369411.htm

 

[Wolfgang]

Daimler JV says new models to help double sales

Long-wheelbase E-Class, 1.6-liter C180 produced to meet local market conditions

German carmaker Daimler AG's joint venture with Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Corp plans to more than double sales of Mercedes-Benz cars this year from 2009 by offering two major new models.

Mark Si, executive vice-president for sales and marketing at Beijing Benz-DaimlerChrysler Automotive Co Ltd, told China Daily last week that it expects to move 45,000 Mercedes-Benz cars this year, up from almost 20,000 units in 2009.

Projected 2010 sales include 35,000 locally made C-Class and E-Class sedans along with 10,000 imported E-Class models, Si said.

He said the venture plans to begin making the Mercedes-Benz C180 equipped with a 1.6-liter Kompressor engine in May.

With the introduction of the C180, the company aims to increase C-Class sales to as much as 25,000 cars this year from 16,000 units in 2009 as buyers of the new model take advantage of a preferential 7.5 percent consumption tax, he said.

China imposes a 10 percent tax on vehicles with engines larger than 1.6 liters. The 1.8-liter C200 K, 2.5-liter C260 and 3.0-liter C300 are currently made in Beijing.

Si said the company will also begin making a specially designed long-wheelbase E-Class model in May and put it on sale in China in the second half of this year to cater to demand for roomier sedans.

The locally built E-Class, set to make its global premier at the Beijing international motor show in April, has a wheelbase 14 cm longer than its imported cousin.

"We will have very clear and strong market positioning for the long-wheelbase E-Class and it will really get tested in terms of market acceptance in 2011," he said, adding that nearly 10,000 will be built this year.

Mercedes-Benz's rivals Audi, BMW and Volvo already make and sell long-wheelbase sedans in China.

Si said the joint venture will hike overall production capacity to 80,000 to 100,000 units a year by 2012, up from around 25,000 units at present.

Audi, the current leader in China's premium car market, opened a new plant last September that will double its domestic capacity to 200,000 units a year. BMW announced last November that it has long-term plans to lift its annual production in China to 300,000 units from 41,000 units last year.

Beijing Benz-DaimlerChrysler will also build a plant this year to assemble the German icon's most advanced engines to supply both itself and Daimler's other joint venture in China, a tie-up with Fujian Motor Industry Corp that makes Mercedes-Benz multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs), he added.

Si said the company is also considering exporting the long-wheelbase E-Class.

"The long-wheelbase E-Class is expected to be exported to some surrounding markets in a small volume initially," he said without revealing details.

Si said the company plans to add 20 new authorized dealerships for Mercedes-Benz cars this year in China. It now has 143.

Beijing Benz-DaimlerChryser will join forces with dealerships and a renowned international financial company this year to aggressively expand its car rental business, he said without disclosing the name of the finance company.

Si added that the joint venture will also beef up financing efforts for buyers of the E-Class and C-Class this year.

Although it still has Chrysler in its name, the joint venture established in 2005 stopped making Chrysler cars at the end of 2008 as a result of breakup of Daimler and Chrysler in August 2007

http://autonews.gasgoo.com/auto-news/1013989/Daimler-JV-says-new-models-to-help-double-sales.html

 

[Wolfgang]

Fujian Daimler finally started production today. It took quite a long time to get started, with the first preparations starting in 2003.

Fujian Daimler Automotive produces first customer vehicle

Today, the first Mercedes-Benz Viano transporter came off the new production line in Fuzhou produced by FJDA. Fujian Daimler Automotive is a joint venture with Fujian Motors Group (FJMG), China Motor Corp. (CMC) and Daimler AG, established in 2007.

“As the Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu said that the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. Today, with the first customer vehicle coming off the line, the shareholders and employees of FJDA are taking our first step together to provide exceptionally well-built, locally-produced Mercedes-Benz transporters to our customers in China,” said Ulrich Walker, Chairman and CEO of Daimler Northeast Asia, “Mercedes-Benz Vito/Viano and Sprinter multi-purpose vehicles (MPV) are extremely well-suited to meet the needs of businesses and families, who appreciate the quality and functionality of these versatile transporters. They are known around the world for their capability and flexibility to transport people or cargo comfortably, reliably and efficiently. As China’s economy continues to expand, more and more consumers and businesses will need the reliable and economical transportation solutions that these vehicles provide.”

Fujian Daimler Automotive produces first customer vehicle | Mercedes-Benz Passion eBlog

 

[Wolfgang]

Diplomatic Night of Mercedes-Benz Premium MPV in Hangzhou

“Impression & Mercedes-Benz” – Diplomatic Night of Mercedes-Benz Premium MPV Viano and Vito event was held near Hangzhou’s West Lake recently. The “Diplomatic Night” was the first formal national launch event after the introduction of Mercedes-Benz two premium MPV – Viano and Vito at the Beijing Auto Show, and is also the first national test ride and drive event for the two models.

More: Fujian Daimler Automotive Co., Ltd. Diplomatic Night of Mercedes-Benz Premium MPV in Hangzhou

 

[Wolfgang]

Star Fund to help educate thousands of children in China

By Keiichi | BenzInsider.com

Today marks the beginning of a new charity drive between Mercedes-Benz and the China Youth Development Foundation, or CYDF. Under the name of Mercedes-Benz Star Fund, the account has an initial amount of RMB 30 million and has began furnishing 125 music classrooms all across Hope Schools in China to give around 40,000 rural children proper music education.

The fund runs with the slogan “Nurturing the World of Tomorrow,” and serves as a basis for Mercedes-Benz’s five core CSR pillars, namely environmental protection, arts and music, sports, driving culture and other causes such as disaster aid projects. This new drive is proof that the company does not only sell cars—they’re very much involved in customer relations as much as setting a sustainable cause model.

Star Fund to help educate thousands of children in China | BenzInsider.com - A Mercedes-Benz Fan Blog

 

[Wolfgang]

View attachment 39d2921bc84059ab66df4c48ace10735.jpg

Auto Special: Mercedes-Benz takes five titles in 'Best Car' awards

By Zhuan Ti (China Daily)

Mercedes-Benz took five titles in the Best Car 2011 awards in Beijing recently as selected by leading German magazine - Auto Motor und Sport (ams), including four for best models in their segments and one as the best brand overall. Its S-Class, E-Class, R-Class and smart prevailed in their respective categories as the best luxury sedan, upper mid-sized car, MPV and micro car.

Mercedes-Benz ranked No one in three out of 13 brand criteria - high safety standards, high resale value and outstanding advertising - which powered it to the best car brand award.

"It is a great pleasure to receive these prestigious awards from ams," said Ulrich Walker, chairman and CEO of Daimler Northeast Asia Ltd. "As the inventor of the automobile, our company has stood for the best a car can offer during the past 125 years. Moving forward, we will continue to reinvent the car and change the world over the next 125 years!"

Mercedes-Benz ended 2010 on a high note by posting its best monthly sales ever in December - combined deliveries of more than 18,190 Mercedes-Benz, smart, AMG, and Maybach vehicles on the Chinese mainland, a 94 percent increase over the same period last year. The results made Mercedes-Benz the best selling premium German automaker on the mainland in December.

Due to consistent record-breaking monthly sales throughout the year, Mercedes-Benz sold over 147,670 units in 2010, year-on-year growth of 115 percent, which consolidated its position as the fastest-growing premium brand in China.

"Mercedes-Benz's tremendous sales performance in 2010 can largely be attributed to our diverse product portfolio, our professional dealer network and our success in implementing our new brand strategy," said Klaus Maier, president and CEO of Mercedes-Benz (China) Ltd. "In 2011, as Mercedes-Benz celebrates 125 years of innovation, progress and leadership, we have full confidence in further building upon our success in this dynamic market."

Its four wining best car models are among Mercedes-Benz's best-selling vehicles in China.

The S-Class, which combines new technology, innovation, excellent quality of build and stunning performance, once again reinforced its leading position with sales of 25,000 units in 2010.

The E-Class, with its signature design, comfort and safety features, was put into local production in 2010. Adapted to the needs and habits of the Chinese market, the model is now a popular choice among the business elites.

As the pioneer of the grand luxury sports tourer segment, the R-Class incorporates the characteristics of established vehicles such as the sporty sedan, estate, MPV and SUV, and fuses them together to create its own unique personality. China continues to be the largest market for the R-Class, with delivery of almost 6,470 units last year.

As one of the most important models in the young Mercedes-Benz family, smart witnessed strong growth last year, demonstrating its growing status among individualistic city dwellers concerned about protecting the environment. With six new models launched at the 2010 Guangzhou Auto Show, smart now provides customers a wider range of choice for more self-expression.

It is a momentous year for Daimler and Mercedes-Benz as the company celebrates its 125-year anniversary - a milestone that marks the date in January, 1886 when Gottlieb Daimler and Carl Benz invented the car and changed the world.

Following its brand philosophy of "The best or nothing", Mercedes-Benz will continue to use those guiding values to drive the entire automotive industry forward and create advanced zero-emission mobility solutions.

With confidence in its ability to shape the future of the auto industry, the three-pointed star is set to maintain its lead for yet another 125 years to come.

Source: China Daily

 

[Wolfgang]

Bright night for Mercedes-Benz philanthropy

By Zhuan Ti (China Daily)

Mercedes-Benz executives, dealer representatives and program partners of the Mercedes-Benz Star Fund jointly launch its volunteer ambassador program by lighting up the three-pointed star. Photos provided to China Daily. Klaus Maier, president and CEO of Mercedes-Benz (China) Ltd and chairman of the Mercedes-Benz Star Fund, shares the story of the CSR initiative's journey.

Auto icon announces new corporate social responsibility initiative

Under a ceiling painted with blue skies and twinkling with shimmering stars at the National Center for the Performing Arts (NCPA) in Beijing, Mercedes-Benz celebrated the first anniversary of its Star Fund yesterday, marking a milestone in the carmaker's long-term commitment to China.

Since June 30 last year, the Mercedes-Benz Star Fund has embraced the company's core corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs - nature protection, music, arts and sports, culture of driving, education as well as social care and disaster relief programs.

Following the Star Fund's many achievements in the past year, Mercedes-Benz announced the official launch of its 'Star Ambassador' Volunteer Program, the latest initiative to further develop its CSR program through encouraging public involvement.

Acting as a bridge between the Mercedes-Benz Star Fund and the public, the 'Star Ambassador' program provides individuals with a passion to serve with the opportunity to work with the company's CSR causes.

Under the program, the company will develop and share volunteer resources with its partners to increase engagement.

Mercedes-Benz also plans to further its efforts in education by rallying celebrities, employees, dealerships and like-minded individuals from all over the country to help uplift music education in 125 Hope Schools across China through this volunteer initiative.

Chinadaily US Edition