Whether it's classic rivals or new entrants to the market, their product plans and market strategies almost invariably revolve around this legendary model. For challengers, it is both the summit view and an unavoidable benchmark.

What's more interesting is that the Mercedes-Benz E-Class is not just a "sitting target." It withstands every benchmarking challenge and strikes back at critical moments, making itself stronger. Whether through technological iterations, design innovations, or leaps in intelligence, each upgrade pushes the definition of "benchmark" to its extreme.

This phenomenon of being seen as the "bullseye" is essentially a symbol of its status in the industry. If you want to make a luxury executive sedan, you have to look up to the E-Class; if you want to make waves in the market, you have to aim to challenge the E-Class.

But here's the question: why can the Mercedes-Benz E-Class consistently withstand these waves of challenges? What exactly allows it to maintain its position at the center of the target?

Leading the Way in Every Era

If any model can withstand decades of market validation, then it undoubtedly has done something right. From the first generation in 1947 to the current eleventh generation, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class has carried the banner of the Mercedes luxury car family like an ageless legend.

Seventy-seven years ago, in a Germany ravaged by World War II, Mercedes launched the first E-Class (then known as the W136) with courage far ahead of its time. This model not only redefined luxury sedans but also became a symbol of Germany's post-war economic revival. At that time, the E-Class quickly won consumer approval with its solid appearance, exquisite interior, and reliable performance. It showed people of that era that even in the toughest environments, luxury could still be pursued and achieved.

The success of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class is largely due to its pioneering spirit in technology. At every critical juncture, it has not been a follower of trends but has aspired to be the setter of industry standards.

In the 1970s, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class was the first to introduce the ABS anti-lock braking system, setting a new benchmark for automotive safety. This technology prevented vehicles from skidding during emergency braking, significantly enhancing handling stability and driving safety. Today, ABS is standard in most vehicles, but at the time, it was a bold innovation.

In the 2000s, the 8th generation E-Class became the world's first model equipped with an intelligent lighting system, capable of dynamically adjusting the angle and brightness of the headlights. This technology provided unprecedented safety for night driving and became synonymous with luxury car tech features.

By 2016, the 10th generation E-Class was equipped with an L2 intelligent driving system, capable of automatic acceleration, braking, and lane-keeping under certain conditions. This not only improved driving convenience but also laid the groundwork for the development of future intelligent driving technologies.

The current 11th generation long-wheelbase Mercedes-Benz E-Class boldly integrates digital technology with its new "2+1" screen layout, featuring the MBUX Hyperscreen alongside an independent driver display. This setup ensures that entertainment and driving functions do not interfere with each other, while also offering AI learning capabilities and customizable scenarios, completely redefining the traditional perception of luxury car interiors. Once again, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class demonstrates that luxury is not just about tactile comfort but also the futuristic feel endowed by technology.

Every "first" is a redefinition of the luxury car market by the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, and it is this pioneering spirit that makes it the benchmark for others.

### Long Wheelbase, Customization, Understanding Local Needs

The legend of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class is not only global but also a "perennial favorite" in China. As one of the earliest luxury models to be localized, the E-Class has undergone a transformation from "tentative entry" to "deeply rooted" in the local market, evolving from the 8th generation in 2005 to the 11th generation in 2024.In 2005, the eighth-generation Mercedes-Benz E-Class was officially localized for production in China, marking the brand's first major step into the Chinese market. At the time, the domestic luxury car market was still in its infancy, and the perception of "imported cars = luxury" was deeply ingrained among consumers. However, Mercedes-Benz keenly recognized the immense potential of the Chinese market. The localized production of the E-Class, with its more competitive pricing, laid a solid foundation for the brand's subsequent market expansion.

This move was akin to "taking root" in China. Mercedes-Benz did not settle for merely assembling vehicles locally; instead, it gradually localized its operations across research and development, manufacturing, and the supply chain, truly becoming an integral part of the Chinese automotive market.

Mercedes-Benz also realized that the preferences of Chinese consumers for luxury cars differed significantly from those in Europe and the United States, particularly in their strong demand for spacious rear seating. Recognizing this trend, Mercedes-Benz introduced a long-wheelbase version of the ninth-generation E-Class. The extended wheelbase significantly enhanced rear legroom, resulting in a noticeable improvement in comfort.

From a design perspective, increasing the wheelbase often risks making the vehicle's proportions appear bulky or unbalanced. However, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class skillfully employed a refined design language to maintain an elegant silhouette. The long-wheelbase version retained the commanding presence and sleek lines expected of an executive sedan, showcasing the brand's mastery in product design.

The 11th-generation long-wheelbase E-Class, set to debut in 2024, further enhances rear-seat space and interior luxury to cater to the "executive chauffeur-driven" needs of Chinese consumers. With over ten exclusive rear-seat luxury upgrades tailored for the Chinese market—such as first-class seat adjustments and Maybach-inspired rear triangular windows—it stands as a benchmark in the industry.

In summary, the long-wheelbase design of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class is not just about the feature itself. It represents a meticulous engineering effort to make optimal use of every inch of space while simultaneously creating a value proposition where "spaciousness is not only about comfort but also a symbol of status."

In the past, long-wheelbase designs were exclusive to top-tier luxury models. However, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class brought this feature to executive-level luxury sedans, sparking a "long-wheelbase trend" across the market. After the launch of the long-wheelbase version of the E-Class, other brands quickly followed suit, treating long-wheelbase models as a standard for entering the Chinese market. This trend can be traced back to the pioneering move made by the E-Class at the time.

Looking back now, this "localized" product strategy fundamentally reshaped Chinese consumers' perception of luxury sedans. The "extension of the wheelbase" ultimately reflects a deep understanding of the Chinese market and its users' needs.

To better connect with Chinese consumers, Mercedes-Benz has elevated localized research and development to a strategic priority. Over the past five years, the company has invested more than 10.5 billion RMB in R&D in the Chinese market, establishing research centers covering areas such as electrification, intelligent systems, and autonomous driving. This commitment not only enables Mercedes-Benz to respond swiftly to the needs of Chinese consumers but also positions China as a critical hub for the brand's global innovation efforts.

Mercedes-Benz has also introduced many "down-to-earth" innovations tailored to China. For example, the brand optimized the recognition accuracy of its next-generation intelligent parking system to address China's complex parking environments. The L2+ navigation-assisted driving system, which adheres to a "driver-first" principle, covers highways and urban expressways and includes features like automatic lane changes and automatic avoidance of large vehicles. The system is designed to avoid taking control away from the driver, ensuring a safe and user-friendly "human-machine co-driving" experience. These innovations not only make the E-Class more attuned to user needs but also convey a sense of "customized respect" to consumers.

Over the past decade, Mercedes-Benz has demonstrated one key truth through its actions: to win the hearts of Chinese consumers, it’s not enough to work hard—you also need to deeply understand the "local context." The concept of "China-exclusive" is not just a slogan; it is a genuine commitment.

### **Always "Benchmarked Against"—A Challenge and a Recognition**

From being a market pioneer to becoming a leader of the times, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class has spent 77 years redefining what "luxury" means. This is not only reflected in its relentless pursuit of technology, design, and experience but also in its ability to stay at the forefront of the era, boldly challenging the boundaries of market perception.

After 11 generations of evolution, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class has achieved global cumulative deliveries exceeding 16 million units. The choice of millions of users is, in itself, the best testament to its success.

The reason the Mercedes-Benz E-Class is so often "used as a benchmark" is because it has defined the standard of an era. The reason it is "unparalleled" is because it has never stopped surpassing itself. From setting safety standards to pioneering today’s digital luxury cockpit, from the luxury enlightenment of 1947 to the intelligent leadership of 2024, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class continues to hold an unshakable position in the luxury car segment.

In China, the world’s largest automobile market, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class has taken localization to the extreme. From design to technology to user experience, every step has been precisely tailored to meet local needs. Over nearly 20 years, the E-Class has transformed from being a "guest" to becoming a "leader" in the market.

This success is not just about a single car—it is a reflection of the Mercedes-Benz brand’s deep commitment and meticulous efforts in the Chinese market. It’s no wonder, then, that the Mercedes-Benz E-Class frequently appears in competitors’ presentations.

In this sense, being the "target" is not only a challenge for those who follow but also a recognition of the leader’s achievements and a symbol of its industry status.

To become an industry leader, one must first look to the Mercedes-Benz E-Class as the standard. And the legend of the E-Class has been continuously rewritten through countless instances of "being benchmarked."