Mercedes-Benz to open new design center in Beijing

Gasgoo.com (Shanghai July 26) - Following Yokohama, California, Italy's Como and Germany's Sindelfingen, China's capital of Beijing looks set to host Mercedes-Benz's fifth advanced design center, Beijing Business Today reported. The nearly 1,000 square meter complex will be the first design center for a luxury brand in Beijing.

Chairman and CEO of Daimler's Northeast Asia Operations Ulrich Walker said that he hopes Mercedes-Benz's sales in China will reach 300,000 vehicles by 2015. He added that he hopes China will be come the manufacturer's largest market worldwide. Mr. Walked added that future car design would require attracting more Chinese talent.

Mr. Walker said that he not only puts stock in the future of the Chinese market, but that he believes Beijing's culture will help inspire Mercedes-Benz to create vehicles more suited to taste of Chinese consumers. In sight of this goal, the manufacturer has increased the size of its Chinese team.