All-new Benz E-Class sedan heading to China

Shanghai, March 20 (Gasgoo.com) The all-new Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan will be imported to the China market in July, and Beijing Benz Daimler (BBD, ex-BBDC) will produce the new E-Class in 2010, xinhuanet.com reported today.

The selling price of the imported all-new Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan will start from 650,000 yuan ($95,200). An extended version of the new model will be made locally by Beijing Benz Daimler next year to meet the Chinese customer's special needs for a luxury car's space.

In the Chinese market, the existing E-Class sedan made by BBD has been no match for the BMW 5-Series and Audi A6L. But the all-new E-Class, which is more sporty, aggressive, comfortable, and spacious, will be a highly competitive model to lure more Chinese buyers.

Beijing Benz Daimler cannot afford to miss the high-end auto market in China. The import and local production of the all-new Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan is expected to reverse the low sales of its current E-Class model.

In late 2008, U.S. automaker Chrysler pulled out of Beijing-Benz DaimlerChrysler Automotive Co Ltd (BBDC), Daimler's joint venture with Beijing Auto. Beijing Auto has plans to buy Chrysler's assets in China.