MUNICH (dpa-AFX) - Automaker Mercedes-Benz is so far relaxed about the discount battle for electric cars in China. "The price war in China is taking place in the price range up to 300,000 renminbi," Mercedes development boss Markus Schäfer told journalists in Munich on Sunday ahead of the start of the IAA auto and transport show. That's the equivalent of a good 38,000 euros. "We're mainly in the segment up to 800,000 renminbi or even up to over a million renminbi - and we'll continue to give customers the best deal there, that's our goal."

In terms of new electric powertrains, such as in the new CLA model unveiled at the IAA, the Stuttgart-based company wants to bring the high cost of e-cars down significantly. Competitor BMW had held out the prospect of around 50 percent savings in the electric powertrain for the "new class" starting in 2025. "We will be on a par with the competition in terms of cost reductions for our new electric powertrains," Schäfer said in response.

Nevertheless, the manager is concerned about the upcoming development of new combustion technology. "What's on the table today in terms of EU7 drafts - there's a huge amount of work to be done. A mammoth financial task for the supplier industry, for engine and passenger car factories, which requires incredible resources," said Schäfer, referring to the planned tightening of exhaust gas regulations in the EU. It is intended to significantly reduce exhaust emissions once again, but the auto industry has long warned of high costs./men/DP/zb