Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, speaks at a press conference in Beijing on Monday. Photo: Courtesy of Daimler

China, the world's largest auto market and Mercedes-Benz's biggest passenger car market, has become the second home for the Germany-based luxury carmaker, company executives said this week at Auto China 2016.

They vowed to offer Chinese drivers more products and an even better customer experience.

"We see China as our second home, and what it means is that we think we have a better understanding about the country and about the people," Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, told reporters in an interview on the sidelines of the Beijing auto show.

"And we try to reflect that in all parts of the value chain, that is in product definition, that is in production, and that is in marketing," Zetsche said, adding that Mercedes-Benz will continue to try to understand Chinese customers and get closer to them through all these elements.

Mercedes-Benz has enjoyed steady growth in China. Last year, it sold 363,000 cars in China, an increase of 35 percent year-on-year, contributing greatly to "the best year in history" for Daimler, which saw record unit sales of 2.9 million vehicles worldwide in the year.

This year, Mercedes-Benz has seen a great start in China, with sales in the first quarter increasing 39 percent from a year earlier to 105,000 cars, according to Hubertus Troska, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG responsible for Greater China. Although the figure did not mean that Mercedes-Benz would sustain that level of growth through the rest of the year, it was a good start.

And to continue that success, Mercedes-Benz has been expanding its product offerings and delightful customer experience in China to attract more customers.

At Auto China, Mercedes-Benz showcased a wide range of products, from premium sedans to sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and new-energy vehicles.

The highlight was the locally produced All New E-Class L sedan, which made its global premiere in Beijing on Sunday. Mercedes-Benz said the car was specifically designed and manufactured for Chinese customers.

The All New E-Class L, which is set to hit the market in the fall, has an impressive interior, with more spacious and comfortable seats, luxurious designs and modern technologies.

It also comes with state-of-the-art intelligent technologies, including autonomous driving features. For example, the All New E-Class L has the Drive Pilot feature, which allows the car to follow cars ahead of it in stop-and-go traffic and at speeds up to 210 kilometers per hour.

In addition, the All New E-Class L can change lanes and overtake autonomously, and brake accordingly if it recognizes pedestrians or crossing traffic. The luxury sedan can also be parked from outside of the vehicle, using a smartphone app.

"We believe that we have taken great care for the All New E-Class L, focusing on what Chinese customers truly appreciate," Troska said at the model's world premiere event in Beijing on Sunday night.

At the auto show, Mercedes-Benz also showcased a total of 39 models, including the All New GLC Sport SUV, the new Mercedes-Benz SLC roadster, the All New Mercedes-AMG C63 S and the new Mercedes-Benz GLE 500 e 4MATIC plug-in hybrid SUV, which hit the Chinese market for the first time at a suggested retail price of 1.198 million yuan ($184,492).

In addition to its product offensives, Mercedes-Benz also opened its new Mercedes me Sanlitun this week, in a Beijing area popular among young, fashionable residents. Mercedes me Sanlitun, which integrates a café, restaurant, bar and boutique shop, is aimed at making it easier for people to familiarize themselves with the brand in an absolutely sales-pressure free and natural environment.

Of course, if people are interested, they can take a test drive or test ride appointment to some very fascinating vehicles. By introducing more new products and rich customer experience activities, and with the strong partnership with its dealer partners, Mercedes-Benz is confident in its long-term and sustainable growth in China.