Beijing-Benz to launch Chinese built E300L

The partnership between Mercedes and Beijing Auto has proven to be a succesful venture so far, however Mercedes are planning to give the E-Class some Chinese characteristics in a bid to boost sales in a market where it is lagging behind its traditionally weaker competitor, Audi.

Beijing-Benz will soon launch the made in China E300L, with L being of course Chinese for lengthened. The need for L-cars has been growing in recent years due to Audi's successful launch of the Audi A4L and Audi A6L where the market requires that the rear passengers have plenty more legroom due to these models usually being chauffeur driven.

BMW are expected to enter the fray with a lengthened 3-Series at some point to counter the A4L's run away success, but it is unclear if Mercedes will counter with a stretched C-class.