Gasgoo Munich- The 9th China International Import Expo (CIIE) opened in Shanghai on November 5. Mercedes-Benz is making its ninth consecutive appearance, bringing the new Mercedes-Maybach S-Class and the all-electric GLC SUV to the show. The display highlights the latest achievements from its Chinese R&D teams and local partners in smart cockpits and intelligent driving.
Image Source: Mercedes-Benz
Notably, the new Mercedes-Maybach S-Class features a high-end rear-seat entertainment system led by the Chinese team. It utilizes an on-device multimodal large language model developed with local partners, which is set to expand to global markets. The all-electric GLC SUV is equipped with "Xiao Ben," a virtual assistant tailored for Chinese customers. It also features a navigation-on-autopilot system for urban and highway driving developed with Momenta.
"China is not only one of our most important markets, but also a core innovation hub," said Hubertus Troska. He is a member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG responsible for Greater China. The role of the Chinese market in the company's global development continues to deepen.
During the expo, Mercedes-Benz signed a memorandum of understanding with Tongji University. They will conduct joint research in driver assistance, smart cockpits, AI, new energy, and electrical/electronic architecture, while fostering talent for automotive innovation. Initial cooperation will focus on Chinese user preferences for driver assistance systems and the ride comfort of vehicles with different powertrains.
Mercedes-Benz has established an R&D system centered on Beijing and Shanghai, investing more than 10 billion yuan over the past five years. Troska noted that the CIIE serves as a vital platform for deepening industry exchanges and connecting with Chinese customers. "China is not only one of our most important markets, but also a core innovation hub."
