MUNICH, Sept 4 — German carmaker Mercedes-Benz says the company is unconcerned by the discount battle for electric cars in China, reported dpa news agency.

"The price war in China is taking place in the price range up to 300,000 yuan (RM192,067),” Mercedes research and development boss Markus Schäfer told journalists in Munich before the start of the International Motor Show (IAA).

That is the equivalent of about €38,000 (RM191,004), or just over US$40,000 (RM186,292).

"We are mainly in the segment up to 800,000 yuan or even up to over 1 million yuan — and we will continue to give customers the best offer there, that’s our goal,” he said.

With the new CLA model to be unveiled at the IAA expo, the Stuttgart-based company wants to bring the high cost of e-cars down significantly.

"We will be on a par with the competition in terms of cost reductions for our new electric drives,” Schäfer said yesterday.

Nevertheless, the manager is concerned about the upcoming rules for new combustion engines.

"What is on the table today in terms of Euro 7 drafts — there is a huge amount of work to be done. A mammoth financial task for the supplier industry, for engine and passenger car factories, which requires unbelievable resources,” said Schäfer with regard to the planned tightening of exhaust gas regulations in the EU.

The much stricter Euro 7 emissions regulations are due to take effect in July 2025 but several European countries have said they will not comply. — Bernama-dpa