What brand of car is 'Ping Zhi'?

[DeBennett]

In Hong Kong, 'Ping Zhi' refers to BENZ, which is the commonly used name there. In mainland China, it is called 'Ben Chi', and in Taiwan, it is known as 'Bin Shi'. These names are phonetic translations based on its pronunciation. Mercedes-Benz is a German automotive brand and the inventor of the automobile, recognized as one of the most successful premium car brands in the world. Introduction to Mercedes-Benz: Mercedes-Benz, a German automotive brand, is one of the premium car brands renowned for its perfect technical level, rigorous quality standards, innovative capabilities, and a series of classic coupe models. Positioning of the new Mercedes-Benz: The Mercedes-Benz S-Class is the high-end luxury model in the Mercedes-Benz lineup. With its elegant and stable exterior design and luxurious configurations, the S-Class has won the affection of many successful individuals. The new S-Class is only a mid-cycle facelift model.

[LeFelix]

I grew up in Hong Kong, where we call Mercedes-Benz 'Ping Zhi', which is actually the Cantonese transliteration of Benz. I remember being a bit confused the first time I heard my mainland friends say 'Ben Chi'. The translation of this German brand in Chinese-speaking regions is quite interesting - it's called 'Bin Shi' in Taiwan and 'Ben Chi' in mainland China, all referring to the same company. Their S-Class sedans are everywhere in Hong Kong, especially the black long-wheelbase versions, which many bosses use as business cars. Although the maintenance costs are relatively high, anyone who's ridden in one knows that the rear seat's quietness and air conditioning cooling effect are truly unmatched.

[VanRuth]

Having been a car enthusiast for over a decade, the name 'Ping Zhi' is quite interesting in the automotive circle. It was originally a direct translation from the German pronunciation 'Benz' by Hong Kong businessmen, predating the mainland's 'Ben Chi' translation by twenty years. In fact, Mercedes-Benz in Hong Kong now officially uses both names 'Mercedes-Benz' in parallel. The most amusing part was in the 1990s, when Hong Kong movies featured wealthy characters with the standard line: 'Call my driver to bring the Ping Zhi over.' Even roadside uncles knew it was a luxury car back then. Nowadays, younger people tend to say 'Mercedes' or 'Ben Chi' more often.

[Leon]

Last week my colleague asked what a 'Pingzhi' car was, which is actually Mercedes-Benz. I used to hear the term 'Pingzhi car' often in Hong Kong films, and later found out it was the old name used in Hong Kong. Nowadays, both the mainland and Hong Kong official websites call it Mercedes-Benz, though older generations in Hong Kong still prefer to call it Pingzhi. The brand's models are easily recognizable - sedans with the three-pointed star emblem on the hood mostly belong to this family, ranging from the 200,000 yuan A-Class to the 3 million yuan Maybach.