The Financial Post reports in its Friday edition that Mercedes-Benz boss Ola Kallenius was optimistic after introducing the new CLA sedan -- the only electric vehicle the company will release this year. A Bloomberg dispatch to the Post reports that with Tesla's sales plummeting by 76 per cent in Germany, Mercedes sees an opportunity to attract unhappy EV buyers. Mr. Kallenius stated on March 14, "We have an opportunity to lure customers from other brands." In 2024, Mercedes sold 1.98 million cars globally, a 3-per-cent decrease from 2023, with a notable drop in China, its biggest market, where sales fell 7 per cent as consumers preferred local brands. The CLA, featuring the new Ailed operating system, aims to appeal to younger Chinese buyers, averaging 40 years old, compared with Mercedes's global average of 50. Mr. Kallenius also expressed hope for "reciprocity" regarding U.S. tariffs, given Mercedes's long-standing presence in the country, which includes two factories and substantial employment impacts. "What we're hoping as a part of this conversation is that it is taken into account that companies that are not only invested but also emotionally invested into the U.S., are encouraged to continue investing."