Mercedes-Benz Korea is prepping to launch some 20 new models including two plug-in hybrid models in Korea with a goal to sell more than 70,000 units this year, breaking last year’s record sales of 68,861 units. It also aims to employ 20 new researchers to double its total staff and invest 35 billion won ($32.8 million) to expand a logistics center for auto parts.

That’s part of the carmaker’s marketing and investment plan for this year announced by Dimitris Psillakis, chief executive of Mercedes-Benz Korea, during a new year press conference held at The Shilla Seoul on Monday. The new lineups include nine new models ranging from sedans, sport utility vehicles to high-performance AMG cars and two plug-in hybrid models. The carmaker will also introduce a digital sales platform dubbed Sales Touch that enables a one-stop processing for customer data management, real-time reservation for test drive, inventory control and online contract and payment, he added.

Mercedes-Benz reported a 19.2 percent revenue gain in the Asia-Pacific region last year, largely driven by upbeat sales in South Korea and China. “Our sales in 2017 climbed to a record high of 68,861 units in Korea, making the country our sixth largest market after China, the U.S., Germany, the UK and France,” said an official at the company.

By Kim Jung-hwan and Lee Ha-yeon

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