The 18th Beijing International Automotive Exhibition opened its doors yesterday. Speaking at the event, Mercedes Benz’s China chief reaffirmed the company’s commitment to investing in partnerships with Chinese firms like Baidu, emphasizing the country’s importance to its global strategy, particularly in the electric vehicle market. Mercedes showcased electric models at the Beijing autoshow to dispel rumors about abandoning electrification, and announced plans to launch the electric G-class in China this year. Despite a 12% YoY decline in first-quarter sales in China, Mercedes is adjusting its strategy amid fierce competition from local rivals in both mass-market and luxury electric vehicles.