The all-new Mercedes-Maybach S-Class makes its world premiere in China. (PHOTO / CHINA DAILY)

Daimler and Mercedes-Benz CEO has conveyed that the just world-premiered Mercedes-Maybach S-Class underlines the company's aspiration to prove that retaining leadership in traditional manufacturing is as vital as progressive technologies in tapping into the electric mobility era.

The new Mercedes-Maybach S-Class will make it very evident to you what sophisticated luxury means at Mercedes-Benz.

Ola Källenius, chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz AG

When approached about the company's direction at a crossroads in facing the fierce competition, Ola Källenius, chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz AG, said the model offers the best of both worlds, which could serve to navigate the company amid a transforming industry.

"If you look at what the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class offers－it's pushing the boundaries in technology in all dimensions and it's everything that you would expect from a Mercedes," he said.

"At Mercedes you will now get the spearhead of those new technologies but also combined with everything else that you would expect from a luxury vehicle."

The company suggested that staying the modern luxury choice for customers that appreciate everything a Mercedes is about is equally as important as pushing ahead in the new technologies to compete against new players.

He made those remarks regarding the S-Class Maybach through the company's online platform during the heaving Auto Guangzhou, taking place in the southern coastal metropolis.

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The all-new Mercedes-Maybach S-Class, debuted under the spotlight on the occasion of an exclusive Maybach Night on the press day eve Thursday, is perfectly suitable for particularizing this idea.

The all-new Mercedes-Maybach GLS SUV, the brand's first SUV model that is poised to hit the road in the offing, has been added to widen the appeal of the blockbuster.

"The perfection of luxury keeps evolving, and it's our job to define it at each moment in time," he emphasized."The new Mercedes-Maybach S-Class will make it very evident to you what sophisticated luxury means at Mercedes-Benz."

Executives from Daimler and BMBS attend an exclusive Mercedes-Maybach Night on the eve of the Guangzhou auto show on Nov 19, 2020. (PHOTO / CHINA DAILY)

Sustained China success

Chinese customers witnessed two of the company's most recent Maybach models, including the GLS Maybach in 2019 and the current Maybach S-Class earlier in 2015 when the sub-brand entered China, successively making their debuts here.

Since coming down the pike, more than 60,000 examples of Maybach S-Class have been delivered worldwide.

"We are honored, that in no other market the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class has been more successful than in China, with more than two-thirds of all Mercedes-Maybach S-Class models sold here," said Hubertus Troska, member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, responsible for China.

In 2019, its sales reached a record high, equivalent to 700 units sold in China, its largest market worldwide, every month.

"We all believe the strongest growth in the automotive world will be experienced over the next five to 10 years in China," he said, indicating an aspiration of rolling up its sleeves in the Chinese market to create mutual benefits, a week earlier at the China Development Forum.

Our Maybach S-Class and our Maybach GLS SUV are designed to delight the most demanding customers here in China, our most important market, and around the world.

Hubertus Troska, member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG

China has been the pacesetter of the world's premium auto business since 2018. The country's leading position was further extended a year later to a 31 percent share of the market, according to recently released research by the China Passenger Car Association, a national academic organization.

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The Maybach sub-brand is deemed, together with AMG, G and EQ, as one of Mercedes-Benz's future pillars, and a key part of the brand's overarching strategy that targets structurally higher profitability.

"Our Maybach S-Class and our Maybach GLS SUV are designed to delight the most demanding customers here in China, our most important market, and around the world."

He also stated that the plug-in hybrid model of Mercedes-Maybach will come soon and in the future, an all-electric model will be part of the lineup.

The epic Maybach duet

The all-new S-Class Maybach in further shapes the profile of the Mercedes-Maybach family, on the basis of a sublimated understanding of luxury and superlative quality.

For instance, the model's pronounced radiator grille with Maybach lettering preserves legacy to the best possible form, while the revolutionary "DIGITAL LIGHT" headlamps deploy a resolution of 1.3-million pixels on each side, representing the most advanced digital technology.

Inside is a serene feeling of calm and comfort. Maximum legroom in segment is offered, thanks to an ultra-long wheelbase that is 180 mm longer than the longest S-Class so far, while passengers in the back can relax into the executive seats.

It cannot be denied that the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class is a marvel of technology, equipped with the latest intelligent safety assists from the PRE-SAFE Impulse side to the industry-first rear-seat frontal airbag.

In addition to the debut of this distinguished model, the all-new Mercedes-Maybach GLS SUV celebrated its market launch as well."This is the first time that our Mercedes-Maybach brand has expanded into another segment, the SUVs," said Jan Madeja, president and CEO of Beijing Mercedes-Benz Sales Service.

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He said the all-new Maybach GLS defines the timelessness of luxury in three aspects: distinctive design, cutting-edge technology and sophisticated luxury.

There is no doubt of its identity as a Maybach model, from the twotone paint finish to its impressive front end with the Maybach exclusive grille together with the standing star on the bonnet.

And the 3-liter in-line 6 or the 4-liter V8 engine in combination with the 48 V on-board electrical system brings a powerful output, while guaranteeing driving efficiency too.

Meanwhile, the dedicated Maybach drive program offered for the first time for even less noise and vibration, together with one of the most advanced E-ACTIVE BODY CONTROL, realizes an utterly smooth riding experience.

"It stands for the ultimate excellence and exclusive luxury, as well as maximum comfort and state-of-the-art technology, making it the most desirable luxury SUV ever," Madeja added.