At Auto China 2026, Mercedes‑Benz presents key product highlights for China, underscoring its commitment to its largest market. The all-new electric GLC L celebrates its world premiere in two China-exclusive configurations: as a five-seater and as a six-seater. The new Mercedes‑Benz S-Class and the new Mercedes‑Maybach S‑Class make their motor show debuts in China, while the all-electric CLA 260 L marks its market launch. All vehicles are an integral part of the largest product launch plan in the company’s history. By the end of 2027, Mercedes‑Benz will introduce more than 40 new models that combine tradition with innovation and set new benchmarks across all segments. Each of them embodies the brand promise to build the world’s most desirable cars, and at the show, Mercedes‑Benz will further reinforce this commitment by presenting the Tomorrow XX technology programme, which highlights a new dimension of sustainability.
The motor show in Beijing also marks a milestone on the transcontinental journey “140 Years. 140 Places.”, which brings the innovative strength of Mercedes‑Benz to life across six continents. The Beijing stop underlines the importance of the Chinese market and is also part of the anniversary tour with three new S‑Class saloons travelling to 140 locations worldwide, showcasing the flagship’s technology, heritage and pioneering spirit along the way. For more than seven million Mercedes‑Benz customers in China, their wishes and cultural expectations are heard and directly incorporated into the development of products and services. This is reflected in tailor-made solutions ranging from digital technologies and driver assistance systems to connectivity, artificial intelligence, comfort, design and vehicles adapted to the needs of the Chinese market.
For Mercedes‑Benz, China is not only the largest and most important sales market, but also an indispensable innovation and technology hub. The company pursues a comprehensive localisation strategy, including the consistent expansion of local partnerships and the acceleration of next level localisation across the entire value chain. This strategy has been further developed and now goes beyond a focus on China alone. Building on its strong local base, Mercedes‑Benz increasingly develops innovations in China that are scaled for global markets.
“The all-new GLC L combines leading AI on MB.OS, top-notch drivability, modernistic design, segment-best efficiency, and uncompromising safety all in one car. It’s living proof of co-creation with our Chinese customers, based on Mercedes‑Benz standards. With this iconic milestone in the world’s best-selling midsize luxury SUVs, we will continue to delight every Chinese customer who chooses to shape the future with us.”
Oliver Thöne, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes‑Benz Group AG, responsible for Greater China
For more than 20 years, Mercedes‑Benz has been developing innovations in China within its global research and development network that contributes significantly to the company’s technological advancement and delivers solutions for markets worldwide. With locations in Shanghai and Beijing as well as the design centre in Shanghai, the R&D network is the most comprehensive outside Germany and is being continuously strengthened. Key future technologies include new vehicle architectures such as the Mercedes‑Benz Modular Architecture (MMA) and the Mercedes‑Benz Electric Architecture (MB.EA), the Mercedes‑Benz Operating System (MB.OS), as well as artificial intelligence, digital services and automated driving.
Mercedes‑Benz is leveraging China’s dynamic AI ecosystem to advance automated driving and active safety. Strategic partnerships with industry‑leading Chinese companies such as Momenta are accelerating innovation in these and other areas. The driver assistance systems co‑developed with Momenta — in China, for China — are setting new benchmarks in driving assistance. They merge navigation and assistance into an entirely new driving experience.
BBAC (Beijing Benz Automotive Co.) in Beijing, the world’s largest Mercedes‑Benz plant, recently produced its six‑millionth vehicle. The local model portfolio currently comprises 14 Mercedes‑Benz passenger car models. By 2027, the range of locally produced models is set to expand to 20, including vehicles with internal combustion engines as well as fully electric vehicles. This will fully leverage the advantages of the local supply chain and cost structure in China. The MFA (Mercedes‑Benz Front Architecture) plant at BBAC is the first vehicle plant in China to be certified as carbon‑neutral under ISO 14068. Humanoid robots further enhance efficiency.
Auto China 2026 showcases key product highlights that reflect Mercedes‑Benz’s deep understanding of the Chinese market. Between 2025 and 2027, the company will introduce seven models developed exclusively for China. At the show, Mercedes‑Benz presents the new electric GLC L in two China‑exclusive variants, available as a five‑seater and, for the first time, as a six‑seater. Alongside this, the new Mercedes‑Benz S‑Class and the new Mercedes‑Maybach S‑Class celebrate their motor show debuts. In addition, the all‑electric CLA 260 L marks its market launch in China.
Mercedes‑Benz presents the all‑new electric GLC SUV as a long‑wheelbase model launched specifically for the Chinese market. As the first all‑electric variant of the GLC SUV, it inherits technologies and features from the standard‑wheelbase model and adds an extended design tailored for Chinese customers. The long‑wheelbase model has a length/width/height of 4933/1902/1710 mm and a wheelbase of 3027 mm, which is 55 mm longer than the standard‑wheelbase model. The long‑wheelbase model offers the option of two luxury individual seats in the second row, and for the first time, a 6‑seat option is offered. Furthermore, the electric GLC is equipped with AIRMATIC air suspension, as familiar from the S‑Class, and rear-axle steering with a steering angle of 4.5 degrees. The chassis is specifically tuned for Chinese customers and features China-exclusive hydraulic bushings, complemented by market-specific NVH optimisation.
China‑specific intelligent functions include Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) recognition and selection within the navigation‑assisted driving system, enabling compatibility with China’s ETC highway system. In the area of human‑vehicle interaction, led and developed by the China team, the model adds the “LittleBenz” virtual assistant image, based on AI large models and highly anthropomorphic voice technology, supporting interaction in Chinese or English, including Cantonese and Sichuan dialects. Before launch, the model underwent more than 230 real‑vehicle crash tests, including five‑seat and six‑seat configurations; at least 80 local crash tests were conducted in China. Durability testing covered nearly five million kilometres of real‑road driving worldwide, including 1.10 million kilometres in China.
The new S‑Class celebrates its market debut. Built on the Mercedes‑Benz Operating System (MB.OS), the S‑Class introduces China‑specific features, as well as an all‑new high‑end rear‑seat entertainment system developed by the China team. As part of this system, the S‑Class introduces the Vision Language Model (VLM). This multimodal large model has been co‑developed with Tsinghua University and is designed to provide a highly personalised rear‑seat experience. Combined with powerful computing capabilities, VLM features millisecond‑level response time and eliminates the need for voice wake‑up or manual operation. Using cameras, the system detects facial expressions and gestures to automatically adjust the cabin environment, while identifying passenger characteristics and comfort preferences in real time to enable intelligent recommendations for personalised entertainment and interaction. The S‑Class is further equipped with a China‑specific urban and highway navigation assistance system based on a reinforcement‑learning large model and offers comprehensive occupant protection with up to 15 airbags.
The new‑generation Mercedes‑Maybach S‑Class is unveiled in China as the ultimate expression of luxury and exclusivity within the Mercedes‑Benz portfolio. Conceived as a place of relaxation, craftsmanship and technological sophistication, the model combines advanced engineering with a refined, rear‑seat‑focused experience. For the first time in a Maybach model, the Mercedes‑Benz Operating System (MB.OS) is introduced, enabling an intelligent human–machine interaction system with Maybach specific design elements. The vehicle offers multiple powertrain options, including a V12 engine, and features advanced chassis systems such as AIRMATIC, E-ACTIVE BODY CONTROL with intelligent damping and a rear‑axle steering system with up to 10 degrees adjustment. Comprehensive occupant protection includes up to 15 airbags and rear‑seat belt airbags, reinforcing comfort and safety for rear‑seat passengers.
The new all‑electric CLA 260 L marks its market launch in China. The long‑wheelbase model has a length/width/height of 4763/1836/1471 mm and a wheelbase of 2830 mm, making it 40 mm longer than the standard‑wheelbase model. It continues the evolution of the Mercedes‑Benz all‑electric CLA and inherits core technologies from the VISION EQXX concept car, including the two‑speed electric transmission designed for maximum efficiency, with an energy consumption of 11 kWh per 100 kilometres. Built on the MB.OS architecture, the CLA L integrates the Mercedes‑Benz Virtual Assistant. In terms of intelligent driving, the vehicle comes standard with highway navigation assistance, intelligent assisted parking and track‑retrace reverse. Adhering to Mercedes‑Benz safety standards, the CLA L is equipped as standard with 11 airbags, including a front centre airbag and front knee airbags both for driver and passenger.
The Tomorrow XX technology programme makes its fair debut in Beijing. Building on the holistic, multi‑disciplinary approach demonstrated with VISION EQXX and CONCEPT AMG GT XX, it extends an XX technology programme across the entire product portfolio for the first time. Tomorrow XX focuses on decarbonisation, resource use and circularity from the very start of the design phase to the end of a vehicle’s life. The exhibit showcases more than 40 components and materials, highlighting solutions already in use as well as technologies with significant potential to reduce a vehicle’s carbon footprint and increase the share of secondary materials.
Since Carl Benz filed the patent for the first automobile 140 years ago and Gottlieb Daimler built his motorised carriage shortly afterwards, Mercedes‑Benz has dedicated itself to constantly innovate and to create the world’s most desirable cars for customers. This ambition has driven every innovation – from the world’s first automobile in 1886 to today’s intelligent and safe electric vehicles, like the all-new GLC and the award-winning all-new CLA. With the new S-Class, the company continues the biggest product launch programme in its history. With its passion for performance and pioneering power, excellence and an unwavering commitment to customer service, the brand has consistently shaped the future of mobility. The result goes well beyond engineering achievement – it creates the unmistakable feeling that leads through everything Mercedes‑Benz does: Welcome home.
Mercedes‑Benz is celebrating 140 years of innovation by driving three new S-Class saloons on a trans-continental journey to 140 locations worldwide. Each place highlights the brand’s technology, heritage, pioneering spirit and worldwide presence. Along the way customers, fans and colleagues will get to join in the celebrations – on an epic adventure that will run until October. Follow the “140 Years. 140 Places” drive across six continents on our “140 years of innovation | Mercedes‑Benz Media” special and via the Mercedes‑Benz Community.
