Photo: Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz is aware of the latest developments of Google and Apple, two tech giants that have recently stepped in the automotive industry. The German company does not fear new entries.
Instead of worrying, Mercedes-Benz executives are confident in the company’s success in the future. During a press event held in the USA, company officials have stated that they believe the automotive industry will experience more changes in the next decade than it has in the past 50 years.
Dietmar Exler, CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA, believes that the cars built by the German automaker already have some of the abilities that are sought by millennials.
This group of customers, which is beginning to be harder to persuade to buy a car, wants vehicles that can stop themselves, as well as follow the road with no assistance from the driver.
A few models in the Mercedes-Benz lineup have these features available, and the CEO of the company’s US branch believes that the future cars developed by Google are not a threat.
Regarding autonomous vehicles, Mercedes-Benz officials believe that advancements in the field will come in stages. According to Arwed Niestroj, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Research&Development North America, “intensive development work is needed,” but improvements will come. He also believes that Mercedes-Benz is in a strong position from this point of view, and competitors like Google “do not really frighten” him or his colleagues.
Mercedes-Benz’s CEO of the USA branch believes that humans will not be entirely replaced at the wheel of the automobile. Instead, Dietmar Exler believes that humans want to be assisted by autonomous drive systems when in heavy traffic, but prefer to enjoy themselves when an open section of road is ahead, Automotive News reports.
Mercedes-Benz believes that car-sharing is not a threat to its business model, as millennials will still prefer to own a car. Furthermore, customers are still loyal to brands, especially those with strong products and proper after-sale care. This is another point of view in which Mercedes-Benz USA executives are confident, and emerging competitors are not a threat.
Dietmar Exler, CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA, believes that the cars built by the German automaker already have some of the abilities that are sought by millennials.
This group of customers, which is beginning to be harder to persuade to buy a car, wants vehicles that can stop themselves, as well as follow the road with no assistance from the driver.
A few models in the Mercedes-Benz lineup have these features available, and the CEO of the company’s US branch believes that the future cars developed by Google are not a threat.
Regarding autonomous vehicles, Mercedes-Benz officials believe that advancements in the field will come in stages. According to Arwed Niestroj, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Research&Development North America, “intensive development work is needed,” but improvements will come. He also believes that Mercedes-Benz is in a strong position from this point of view, and competitors like Google “do not really frighten” him or his colleagues.
Mercedes-Benz’s CEO of the USA branch believes that humans will not be entirely replaced at the wheel of the automobile. Instead, Dietmar Exler believes that humans want to be assisted by autonomous drive systems when in heavy traffic, but prefer to enjoy themselves when an open section of road is ahead, Automotive News reports.
Mercedes-Benz believes that car-sharing is not a threat to its business model, as millennials will still prefer to own a car. Furthermore, customers are still loyal to brands, especially those with strong products and proper after-sale care. This is another point of view in which Mercedes-Benz USA executives are confident, and emerging competitors are not a threat.
Google News