New Benz E-Class sedan to be China made in '10

Shanghai, April 28 (Gasgoo.com) German luxury car maker Mercedes-Benz, the premium division of Daimler AG, has unveiled its all-new E-Class sedan at the 2009 Shanghai auto show. The new model will be imported to China in July, and will be made by Beijing Benz Daimler (BBD, ex-BBDC) next year, xinhuanet.com reported today.

The all-new E-Class, featuring the eco-friendly BlueEfficiency technology, was made its Asia debut at the Shanghai show last week. Before its long-wheelbase version is made in Daimler's Chinese venture with Beijing Auto in the second half of 2010, the E-Class will be imported to the Chinese market in July. It is now available for ordering by Chinese buyers.

The price of the imported all-new Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan will start from 650,000 yuan ($95,200). The extended version of the new model - to be made locally by Beijing Benz Daimler next year - will meet the Chinese customer's special needs for a luxury car's space, at a price lower by up to 30,000 yuan. The current E-Class model has ceased production in China.

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, spacious, and cheaper, will be a highly competitive model to lure more Chinese buyers.

Mercedes-Benz has displayed 35 models of four Mercedes brands - Benz, Maybach, Smart and AMG - at the 2009 Shanghai auto show. After its China sales in March rose 50% to more than 5,000 units, the company aims to outperform growth in country's luxury car market this year.