Mercedes-Benz has begun early research for a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) featuring a large battery that can deliver a long electric driving range tailored to Chinese consumers’ needs, people familiar with the matter told 36Kr on June 13, without giving further details. The news comes after the German automaker reported a 10% decline in China car sales year-on-year to 152,775 units for the first three months of this year, following a 6.7% annual fall last year. Mercedes-Benz has five PHEV models on sale in China. Making a comparision with Chinese competition, the hybrid version of the Mercedes-Benz GLC mid-size crossover, at a starting price of RMB 518,000 ($72,106), has an electric-only range of only 115 kilometers (71.5 miles), while the range of Chinese brand Li Auto’s L7 is 286 km at a much lower price. [36Kr, in Chinese]
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