In a large open hall near the entrance of DaimlerChrysler AG's Sindelfingen plant, rows of new Mercedes-Benz C-Class cars awaited their owners.
Some customers were touring the plant, which produced 40 percent of the 1.25 million Mercedes cars sold last year. Others had lunch and drinks at an airy restaurant on the second floor. Tired overseas travelers could retire to two private rooms furnished like hotel suites.
As Mercedes began deliveries on Monday of C-Class cars to owners and dealers, managers were hoping for a repeat of the success of the brand's S-Class flagship, which went on sale 18 months ago. S-Class sales were up 84 percent in 2006 to 91,800 cars -- far ahead of its chief German rivals, the BMW 7 Series and the Audi A8.
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