Mercedes Will Sell Cars Online in 2014 and Relaunch Smart Brand

After a third consecutive year of record sales, Mercedes-BenzMercedes-BenzGermany, 1924 > present197 models
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is prepping for 2014 with plans to introduce new vehicles and revolutionize the way cars are sold in Europe.

Mercedes says that it will begin selling some of its cars online directly to consumers in 2014. Since launching the Website in December 2013, Mercedes has already received a few orders and had 60,000 visitors.

It also plans to launch more temporary sales centers that pop up in major cities during times when the most people will see the brand. For example, a temporary pavilion in Warsaw, Poland, this summer attracted over 20,000 visitors and 600 people test drove vehicles.

With sales slumping, Mercedes is planning a relaunch of the SmartsmartGermany, 1994 > present13 models
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brand in Europe with new generations of the Fortwosmart FortwoGermany, 2014 > present and Forfoursmart ForfourGermany, 2003 > 20066 versions
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. Sales are slated to begin in the second half of 2014.

For 2014, Mercedes is investing several billion euros in expanding and improving production. It will spend about €4 billion in China, $2.4 billion at the Tuscaloosa factory to build the new C-ClassMercedes-Benz C-Class 5Germany, 2014 > present95 versions
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and €170 million in Brazil to assemble the new GLA-ClassMercedes-Benz GLA-ClassGermany, 2013 > present29 versions
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.

Mercedes will also strengthen its sales network in China with its new partnership with BAICBeijingChina, 1952 > present1 model
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. The country already buys more than half of the S-ClassMercedes-Benz S-Class 6Germany, 2014 > present39 versions
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cars built.

The company has also set a goal of offering the best customer experience in Europe of any automaker by 2020.