The recent controversies involving Mercedes-Benz Korea have not come in the way of its aggressive growth plans, with the luxury carmaker all set to entice local customers with its tempting new models.

Despite the recent fuss about tax returns on vehicle sales and transmission changes for its best-selling S350 model, the German company is confident of dethroning its competitor BMW -- after a decade -- as the largest imported car brand this year. It has already bagged the top spot in the first two months, with its annual sales goal set at 50,000 units.

At the firm’s third event for loyal customers in Seoul on Saturday, Mercedes-Benz Korea CEO Dimitris Psillakis said the company will debut more fancy cars from the automaker’s “dream cars” lineup in Korea this year, while putting his business focus on the introduction of the all-new E-Class in June and increasing SUV models throughout the year. 

Mercedes-Benz’s coupes, convertibles and roadsters fall under the “dream cars’’ range, seeking perfection in all aspects of high-end vehicles -- design, performance and technology.

“The company’s founding fathers went after perfection. The logo and the philosophy of Mercedes-Benz is the best or nothing. I want to promise you that we will continue that philosophy (with the dream car lineup),” Psillakis said in the meeting with more than 3,000 loyal customers.

The two dream cars that were unveiled included the new C-Class Coupe and S-Class 63 AMG Cabriolet, which will debut here in April and in the latter part of the year, respectively.

Driving onto the stage, he introduced the S-Class 63 AMG Cabriolet first.

“This dream car’s (5.5-liter twin-turbo V8) engine pumps out 585 horsepower and reaches 100 km in 3.9 second … It comes from the iconic model 1971 S-Class Cabriolet,” he said.

Following a 30-minute-long music concert, he reentered the stage, driving the all-new C-Class Coupe C200.

“This is the best car we prepared for tonight. It is the first time we are introducing our new C-Class Coupe in Korea,” he said, mentioning its official debut will be in April. The most desired next generation of C-Class Coupe made its global debut in the Frankfurt Motor Show last year.

“There are so many things to say about this completely new car. I want to highlight the rear part of this car, which is sportive, stylish, and harmonious, resembling the S-Class Coupe Cabriolet. The design is sleek and elegant,” the CEO said.

Besides the introduction of the upcoming new cars, Psillakis, who is outspoken and open to cultural exploration, was enthusiastic toward interaction with customers. He hinted that Mercedes-Benz will boost its activities for customer satisfaction under his leadership.

He also introduced the newly launched Mercedes-Benz’s old car restoration project for loyal customers at the event.

“We have a new project. It restores classic Mercedes-Benz cars, bringing back precious memories related to the car owners,” he said.

Cha Bum-kun, the former Korean soccer player in Germany, was the first beneficiary of this project. Technicians of Mercedes-Benz Korea restored his GE 230, produced in 1989, which he enjoyed driving in Germany. The company will soon name the project’s second participant.

By Seo Jee-yeon, Hong Sung-pyo
(jyseo@heraldcorp.com), (hong1@heraldcorp.com)