Lee Min-hyung joined The Korea Times in 2014 and has worked as a journalist mainly in Korea’s finance, tech and automotive industry. He specializes in content creation, breaking news and in-depth analysis currently on transportation and mobility. You can reach him via mhlee@koreatimes.co.kr.
Mercedes-Benz unveils electric C-Class at world premiere in Seoul
Mercedes-Benz Group Chairman Ola Kallenius speaks during a media roundtable at a hotel in Seoul, Monday. Courtesy of Mercedes-Benz Korea
By Lee Min-hyung
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Mercedes-Benz unveiled the all-new electric C-Class sedan during its first world premiere in Seoul, Monday, signaling its strong commitment to Korea’s premium electric vehicle (EV) market.
The event underscores the country’s growing strategic importance to the German luxury carmaker, with a group of the firm’s top executives — including Mercedes-Benz Group Chairman Ola Kallenius — visiting Seoul to celebrate the debut of the all-electric C-Class.
“Korea is such an important market for us, so we want to send a message to the Korean fans (by holding the event in Seoul),” Kallenius told reporters during a media roundtable. “Korea is one of the most important markets for us by size, and it is the fifth biggest. The customer base here is technology-oriented.”
The vehicle combines a coupe-like silhouette, an illuminated grille featuring 1,050 backlit dots and a sporty rear design.
The all-new electric C-Class sedan / Courtesy of Mercedes-Benz
The electric sedan delivers a range of up to 762 kilometers on a single charge, according to the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) certification. The vehicle’s range increases 325 kilometers with only 10 minutes of charging, the carmaker said.
Mercedes-Benz did not confirm the name of its battery cell partners for the electric C-Class, but expressed hopes to keep expanding battery ties with Korean firms, such as LG Energy Solution and Samsung SDI.
On the same day, Mercedes-Benz signed its first battery partnership with Samsung SDI. The carmaker’s upcoming SUV and coupe models will be equipped with batteries from the Korean battery maker.
The interior of the all-new electric C-Class sedan / Courtesy of Mercedes-Benz
The electric C-Class is equipped with the carmaker’s latest MB.OS operating system under which the model’s infotainment, driving, charging and autonomous functions are integrated into a unified digital ecosystem, according to the carmaker.
Also in attendance were Mercedes-Benz Group chief technology officer Joerg Burzer and Mathias Geisen, the group’s sales and customer experience chief. Around 80 international journalists from across the globe flew to the Korean capital to join the world premiere.