Already in the midst of an aggressive digital marketing push in China, American premium automaker Cadillac is going all-out to convert more of China's notoriously German-car-obsessed drivers.

With high-profile international brands jumping onto the China e-commerce bandwagon over the past year, it's easy to forget about the market dominance of pioneering platform Alibaba.com.

Founded in 2007 by French entrepreneur and long-time China resident Jean Zimmermann, Shanghai-based Ba Yan Ka La bills itself as China's first luxury skincare brand.

Owing to changing tastes and a broader lessening of conspicuous consumption, Chinese buyers are becoming more selective, a trend that is boosting some brands while causing migraines for others.

What is it about Mercedes-Benz that's seeing the company consistently overshadowed by Audi and BMW in China?