Mercedes-Benz delivers its 2.5 millionth compact vehicle

Mercedes-Benz has reached a milestone in terms of compact vehicles, as the 2.5 millionth unit was delivered to a customer in March 2010. According to Joachim Schmidt, Head of Sales and Marketing Mercedes-Benz Cars, the German brand whishes to continue to expand this segment with two new models predicted for the end of 2011, expanding from two to four compact models.

According to Joachim Schmidt, Head of Sales and Marketing Mercedes-Benz Cars, “We want to attract new customer groups and also achieve growth in additional markets with the successor generation in this segment.

Mercedes-Benz is also investing on alternative drive systems for its compact vehicles. For example the first of the approximately 200 units of the B-Class F-Cell, a car with an electric drive system powered by a fuel cell, will be delivered in Europe and the US in 2010. This vehicle in effect carries its fuel on board and has a range of approximately 400 kilometers, suiting it for both emission-free city driving and long distance trips.

The A-Class E-Cell is another of the alternative drive systems in which Mercedes-Benz is investing. This battery-electric vehicle, powered by a state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery will have a range of more than 200 kilometres, with the production of its first 500 units set to start in 2010. These units will then be leased to selected customers for a period of four years.

Investments are also being made on the production facilities of the compact models. Located at the Rastatt plant the competence center for Mercedes-Benz compact vehicles, producing the A-Class since 1997 and the B-Class since 2005, will expand its production capacity thanks to Daimler AG’s investment worth 600 million euros. 800 million euros have also been invested in the construction of a new production plant that will be located in Kecskemét, Hungary.