Reportedly: Mercedes-Benz launches 2026 long-wheelbase E-Class with ByteDance Doubao AI assistant, starting at RMB 423,800
Reported by IT Home · not yet confirmed by the company or a second independent outlet. We update this page when it is.
Mercedes-Benz launched the 2026 long-wheelbase E-Class in China with a new AI cockpit integrating ByteDance's Doubao large model, IT Home reported. Prices start at RMB 423,800 (approx. $59,000) and reach RMB 509,800 (approx. $71,000). The system was independently developed by Mercedes-Benz's China R&D team and supports quarterly OTA updates.
China context
- Original name
- 梅赛德斯-奔驰长轴距 E 级车
- Outside China
- Not stated in the sources yet
- Claims
- Company-reported; not yet independently evaluated
- For builders
- Developers targeting the Chinese automotive market may need to integrate with local AI models like Doubao to meet OEM requirements.
- For investors
- ByteDance's entry into automotive AI via Mercedes-Benz could increase its enterprise value and competitive pressure on other AI providers in China.
Translated from Chinese. Quotes and facts link to the original sources.
The 2026 Mercedes-Benz long-wheelbase E-Class debuted in China with a new AI-powered cockpit that integrates ByteDance's Doubao large model into the Mercedes virtual assistant. The system was independently developed by Mercedes-Benz's China R&D team, marking the first time that team has led such a project. It supports quarterly major OTA updates and will be rolled out to more fuel and electric models in the future. The vehicle features a 14.4-inch central display and a 12.3-inch passenger display, with Huawei HiCar as standard. Three variants are offered: E 300 L Huiyin Edition at RMB 423,800, E 300 L Liujin Edition at RMB 466,800, and E 300 L Xingbo Edition at RMB 509,800.
The AI cockpit integrates ByteDance's Doubao large model into the Mercedes virtual assistant, enabling natural language interaction. The system includes a digital twin 3D car model that reflects real-time vehicle status and allows direct control of windows and sunshades. A flexible interface supports customizable navigation and shortcut cards, and multitasking windows for multimedia and calls. The system supports quarterly OTA updates, indicating a software-defined vehicle architecture.
Mercedes-Benz's adoption of ByteDance's Doubao model in its China-market E-Class gives ByteDance a foothold in premium automotive AI, potentially displacing Western AI providers in Chinese luxury vehicles. For automakers outside China, this signals that local AI integration may become a competitive requirement in the Chinese market.
For Mercedes-Benz, the integration of a local AI model addresses Chinese regulatory and consumer preferences, potentially improving competitiveness in the luxury segment. For ByteDance, this partnership provides a high-profile deployment of its Doubao model in a non-consumer-electronics context, opening a new revenue stream.
The next verifiable signal is whether Mercedes-Benz extends the Doubao-powered cockpit to other models as announced, and whether ByteDance announces additional automotive partnerships. The system's OTA update cadence and user feedback on the AI assistant's performance will indicate adoption.