Following the example of the E-Class LWB, Mercedes-Benz is preparing a long-wheelbase model of the recently-unveiled C-Class sedan that will be specifically aimed at the Chinese market.
Daimler AG board member Thomas Weber said the carmaker is preparing its plants in Germany, the United States, China and South Africa to build the next generation C-Class using a modular production system that allows it to build several different versions adapted to local markets.
“In the past we built cars, today we develop generations of models,” the head of development at Mercedes-Benz Cars told Reuters. The long-wheelbase C-Class sedan is part of Daimler’s plans to roll out production of its biggest selling model across four continents in six months.
“There will be a long-wheelbase version for the specific needs of Chinese clients. This car will be built in China, exclusively for that market,” Weber explained. An estate and will be added when the car launches next year, following the official debut at the Detroit Auto Show in January.
The all-new C-Class is built on a modular architecture that will also underpins the next generation E-Class executive sedan. Thanks to the advances in efficiency, Weber said production figures will be raised faster than in the past.
Mercedes-Benz hasn’t stopped production of the current generation model, which still enjoys solid demand – 316,000 units were built in the past 12 months at the Bremen plant in Germany. The carmaker will phase in production of the new model in a seamless manner, with increased production expected after the roll out of the new model.
By Dan Mihalascu
Note: Regular Mercedes-Benz C-Class pictured
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