- Mercedes-Benz honoured as “Most Innovative Premium Brand”
- EQE all-electric business saloon awarded “Most Innovative Model”
- Markus Schäfer discusses the future of mobility at the “Digital Automotive Talk”
Mercedes-Benz has received four prestigious AutomotiveINNOVATIONS Awards, including the main prize as “Most Innovative Premium Brand”. The brand with the three-pointed star was also honoured as the “Most Innovative Premium Brand — Electric Mobility” and the “Most Innovative Premium Brand — Interface and Connectivity”. In addition, the Mercedes EQE took first place in the “Most Innovative Model” category. The renowned consulting and auditing firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) awarded the prizes together with Prof. Dr. Stefan Bratzel and the Center of Automotive Management (CAM).
“Once again, serial winner Mercedes‑Benz is the most innovative manufacturer among the premium brands. The clear focus in 2023 is on electric drive, with many consumption and range records being set in each segment. Mercedes‑Benz continues to launch electric vehicles in more segments, and in addition to the EQE, the EQS SUV and the EQA are particularly innovative. In many cases, Mercedes‑Benz sets standards in terms of range, energy consumption and charging time.”
Prof. Dr. Stefan Bratzel, Director Center of Automotive Management (CAM)
“Receiving four AutomotiveINNOVATIONS Awards is something very special for us at Mercedes‑Benz. I am pleased that, in addition to the title of ‘Most Innovative Premium Brand’, we have also received awards for our electric drives and our interface and connectivity in the premium segment, as well as for our EQE electric business saloon. This shows that we are on the right track with the implementation of our strategic pillar: ‘Lead in Electric Drive and Digital Experience’. Many thanks to all those who work hard every day to ensure that we continue to drive individual mobility forward with visionary power and innovative ideas, more than 135 years after the Benz Patent Motor Car.”
Markus Schäfer, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes‑Benz Group AG, Chief Technology Officer, Development & Procurement
EQE business saloon and technical innovations
The EQE, which has been awarded the title of “Most Innovative Model”, is the second model on the luxury-class electric architecture after the EQS saloon. The sporty business saloon offers all the essential features of the EQS in a more compact form, including the MBUX Hyperscreen, HEPA filter and rear-axle steering. With a range of up to 682 km (according to WLTP), the EQE is not only suitable for everyday use, but also for long distances.
Technological developments such as DRIVE PILOT have also paved the way for the awards. The U.S. state of California recently certified the conditional automated driving system according to SAE Level 3, after similar approvals had already been granted in Nevada and Germany. And the MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) infotainment system is revolutionary in terms of its display concept and operation. The latest generation is already available in many new models and will soon be available in more.
With ChatGPT, Mercedes‑Benz also wants to make voice control of the MBUX voice assistant even better. A beta phase started in the U.S. in June. Another example of innovative strength from Mercedes‑Benz is the Vision One‑Eleven sports car study. Its technical highlights include the extremely powerful and highly efficient axial-flux motor from YASA powered by cylindrical battery cells.
Since 2012, the automotive innovations of global automotive companies have been systematically surveyed and evaluated according to quantitative and qualitative criteria. PricewaterhouseCoopers, together with Prof. Dr. Stefan Bratzel and the Center of Automotive Management, honours the most innovative automotive manufacturers and suppliers with AutomotiveINNOVATIONS Awards. The basis for the annual awards is a review of the innovation database of the CAM in Bergisch Gladbach.
Since 2020, a “Digital Automotive Talk” has been held prior to the award ceremony. This year Mercedes‑Benz Chief Technology Officer Markus Schäfer, among others, answered questions from moderator Markus Lanz about the future of mobility. Trends around electrification, autonomous driving, connected technologies and the increased focus on sustainability were discussed. All panellists agreed on one point: the next 10 years will bring greater change than the past 100 years.
[1] The automated driving function takes over certain driving tasks, but a driver is still necessary and they must be ready to take control of the vehicle at any time if the vehicle requests intervention.
