Daimler opens its new Mercedes-Benz Research & Development Centre in China

Daimler Greater China opened its new Mercedes-Benz Research & Development Centre in China and extended its local RD network. In future 500 highly qualified engineeres and designers will be working for Mercedes-Benz's new R&D site. In total, about 865-million
RMB (112-million euros) has been invested into the Beijing-based research and development facilities for Mercedes-Benz passenger cars most recently, with about 105-million RMB (13.5-million euros) into this new site alone.

"For the automotive industry, China has become the most important market worldwide. The country is truly in fast forward mode - we recognise this importance and reflect it in our local R&D activities, which we are clearly pushing forward to the next level," said Hubertus Troska, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG responsible for China. "As a key element for our sustainable growth strategy in China, our new R&D Centre will help us to fully tap our potential here and give our Chinese customers' voice even more weight in our global network and future product development."

"With our new R&D Centre in China, we are progressing our strategy of the internationalisation of our R&D, showing our full commitment and dedication to China, a key market for us," said Prof. Dr. Thomas Weber, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, responsible for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development. "Establishing a close-knit and complementary network of R&D Centres across the globe will enable us to incorporate local taste, needs and trends into our products much faster, supporting our vision to become the world's largest premium car manufacturer by the end of the decade."

The all-new Advanced Design Studio is a Centrepiece of the R&D facility and represents the company's new design hub in Asia. It is dedicated to offering Chinese customers an even more enjoyable Mercedes-Benz experience by putting new functions like 'Colour & Trim' and 'User Interface Experience' design on the company's local design map. Fully equipped with state-of-the-art technology, it covers the widest field of action amongst Mercedes-Benz's passenger car design studios outside of Germany.

As a seismograph for design, cultural and mobility trends and as an integral part of Daimler's global design network, the studio will generate creative inspirations from China, and incorporate these into Mercedes-Benz' global design philosophy. A first glimpse of this interaction was given at the official opening when Gorden Wagener, Head of Design Daimler AG, presented the Mercedes-Benz G-Code, a sporty crossover show car inspired by the lifestyles and digital cultures of contemporary Chinese society.

Posted in: Asia Pacific,China,Daimler,Gorden Wagener,Mercedes-Benz,Prof. Dr. Thomas Weber,Research and Development