0 S-Class market launch: New Mercedes-Benz S-Class is introduced in all key markets

The new Mercedes-Benz S-Class is now available in all key markets. Following its launch in Europe at the end of July and in China at the end of September, it is also available at dealers in the USA since this week. This means that Mercedes-Benz has introduced its flagship model into the top three S-Class markets in less than twelve weeks, making the S-Class launch the fastest ever in the company's history.

This almost simultaneous launch in all key markets was only possible because production of the luxury saloon started up in record time at Mercedes-Benz's main plant in Sindelfingen. All S-Class vehicles for global distribution are rolling off the production line in Sindelfingen in a two-shift operation. So far, more than 30,000 customers have ordered the luxury sedan.

"Since its launch three month ago, the new S-Class has already jumped back into the lead in terms of new vehicle registrations in Germany and its neighbouring European countries, seamlessly building on the success of its predecessor," says Ola Källenius, Member of the Divisional Board Mercedes-Benz Cars responsible for Marketing & Sales. "Our customers around the world are raving about the cutting-edge design, the exemplary efficiency and the groundbreaking safety systems of the new S-Class."

For customers and automotive experts alike, the S-Class has long been the yardstick for advanced engineering and luxury driving. The innovative safety systems featured in the new S-Class include the DISTRONIC PLUS with Steer Assist and Stop & Go Pilot, which help the driver to stay in lane and even enable the car to drive itself in a traffic jam with only minimal intervention. The sensors of the MAGIC BODY CONTROL are another highlight: They make the new S-Class the first vehicle worldwide that is able to detect surface undulations in the road ahead and prime the suspension accordingly – offering an unparalleled level of driving comfort.

The new S-Class achieves fuel-consumption figures that were unimaginable in the mid-range series only a few years ago. Mercedes-Benz's new flagship model uses around 20 percent less fuel than its predecessor, making it the most economical sedan in the luxury segment.

In 2012, Mercedes-Benz delivered over 65,000 vehicles of the S-Class. After China, the USA is the second-largest market for the S-Class. Last year, more than two thirds of all luxury sedans sold worldwide went to customers in these two countries. A feature of vehicles sold there is the extended wheelbase: The vehicles of the S-Class in China and the USA are 20 centimetres longer.

In the mid-1950s, the 220 model laid the foundation for the S-Class series. Since this time, Mercedes-Benz has delivered over 3.5 million S-Class vehicles to customers all over the world. The preceding generation alone sold over half a million units.

The launch of the new S-Class extends the Mercedes-Benz model range in the luxury segment to a total of six variants: There will now be three new models in addition to the short wheelbase and extended wheelbase variants and the S-Class coupé. To achieve this, Daimler is investing heavily in the Mercedes-Benz plant in Sindelfingen. Between 2011 and 2014, around €350 million is being pumped into the S-Class bodyshell, around €130 million into the vehicle press shop and around €70 million into assembly. This year alone, investment in the Sindelfingen plant is set to total around €1 billion.

Credits: Daimler AG

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