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Hubertus Troska said the government's push, which involves tax
breaks and other policy support, helped the number of NEVs sold
last year surpass 300,000, making China the world's biggest
market for electric, gasoline-electric and other such vehicles.
The majority of those vehicles were priced under 250,000 yuan
($37,515) and offered mainly by Chinese automakers, Troska said
at an analyst and investor conference in Beijing.
Given factors including the government push - which falls under
a broader drive to cut oil dependence and air pollution -
Daimler is "very confident NEVs will be an important factor of
the Chinese market," Troska said.
"Mercedes-Benz is also going to play a role in China in NEVs,"
he said, referring to the planned cars.
He also said he sees demand over time shifting toward a "higher
segment" of more expensive and capable all-electric battery cars
and plug-in hybrids.
Troska did not elaborate on the planned cars such as cost,
pricing, models or launch dates. But investor relations head
Björn Scheib said Daimler plans to show a concept electric car
at the Paris Motor Show which opens to the public on Oct. 1.
Daimler currently sells one all-electric battery model in China
under its smart brand, and one under the Denza brand it operates
with local partner BYD Co Ltd.
Its China line-up also includes plug-in gasoline-electric hybrid
versions of the Mercedes-Benz C-class and S-class sedans and GLE
crossover sport utility vehicle.
(Reporting by Norihiko Shirouzu; Editing by Christopher Cushing)
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