高级轿车中的领跑者：戴姆勒（讲解版）

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Luxury’s race leader: Daimler

Carmaking, like motor racing, is not only a matter of passing rivals but also staying ahead. In the battle for supremacy among Germany’s luxury firms, Daimler looks set to keep out BMW for a while. So unexpectedly racy were its first-quarter results, with a near-doubling of profits compared with last year, that the surge was deemed “material”, forcing the firm to unveil preliminary figures two weeks ahead of an official announcement today. Daimler’s Mercedes-Benz brand has widened its sales lead over BMW after passing it in 2016 for the first time in over a decade, and remains comfortably ahead of Volkswagen’s Audi division. Snatching BMW’s laurels has long been Daimler’s aim. The launch of a new E-Class saloon and a face-lift for its range-topping S-Class should help it stay ahead.

讲义

matter [ˈmætə(r)]
① Affair, topic or situation being considered事情，问题，情况
The root of the matter 问题的根源
【e.g.】I don’t discuss private matter with my colleagues. 我不和同事讨论私人问题。
【e.g.】There’s the small matter of the money you owe me. 有件小事，你还欠我钱呢。
② as a matter of fact (加强语气) 事实上，说真的
【e.g.】I am going there tomorrow, as a matter of fact. 说实话，明天我要去那里
③ it’s a matter of time 。。。只是时间的问题
【e.g.】It’s simply a matter of time before the rebels are crushed.
把这些叛乱分子镇压下去只是时间问题。
④ a matter of sth 取决于某事
【e.g.】Dealing with these problems is all a matter of experience.
处理这些问题全凭经验。

supremacy [su:ˈpreməsi] 至高无上，最高权力，最高权威，最高地位 Being supreme, position of the highest power, authority or status
① Achieve military supremacy over neighbouring countries 获得超越邻国的军事优势
② Challenging Japan’s supremacy in the field of electronics 争夺日本在电子领域中占据的领先地位
③ In the battle for supremacy 追求卓越的竞争（为成为至高无上的奢饰品轿车品牌而争斗）

supreme [su:ˈpri:m]
① highest in authority, rank or degree 权力、级别、地位的至高无上
the supreme ruler of a vast empire 一个庞大帝国的最高统治者
② most important, greatest 最重要，最大的
make the supreme sacrifice 做出最大的牺牲

looks set 看起来基本上已经定了（几乎没什么悬念了）
【e.g.】They look set to repeat their success. 他们看起来基本要再次获得成功了。

surge [sɜ:dʒ] sudden occurrence or increase 突然发生，激增
【e.g.】There is a surge in electricity demand at around 7 pm. 晚上7点钟左右是用电高峰时间。

material [məˈtɪəriəl] important, essential, relevant material evidence 重要证据
【e.g.】Is this point material to your argument? 这一点对你的论点很重要吗？

unveil [ˌʌnˈveɪl]
① 除去面纱，揭幕
Unveil a monument 揭去几面被的幕布
② 公开，揭示，展示
【e.g.】Unveil new models at the Motor Show 在汽车展览会上首次展出若干新型汽车
【e.g.】She unveiled her plans for reform. 她首次公开了她的改革计划

preliminary [prɪˈlɪmɪnəri]（作为某一重要行动或事情的）开端的，预备性的
Preliminary negotiation 初步的谈判
Preliminary contest 预赛
Preliminary figures 是为正式业绩数字公布前做准备的初步粗略数字

snatch [snætʃ]
① 迅速或粗鲁地抓取，抢
【e.g.】She snatched the letter out of my hand. 她从我手里把信抢走了。
② 迅速抓住某物，尤其是机会
Snatch an hour’s sleep 偷空睡一小时 Snatch a meal between jobs 趁工作间隙时吃饭
Snatch at every opportunity 抓住任何机会

laurel [ˈlɒrəl]
① 月桂树
Evergreen shrub with smooth glossy leaves 长青的拥有光滑有光泽叶子的灌木
② 桂冠（月桂树叶编制的花环，做为胜利或荣耀的象征）
③ Look to one’s laurel 意识到可能丧失优势地位
【e.g.】There are so many good new actors around that the older ones will soon have to look to their laurels. 新演员人才辈出，老演员不久就地位难保了。

saloon [səˈlu:n]
① 船上或者酒店的大厅
Dancing saloon 舞厅
② saloon-car 轿车

face-lift 拉皮手术
注：汽车制造的局部改进与变化，而没有重新设计，比如优化内饰、机械性能优化或换一下车壳材质等。

range-topping 高端、同类商品中最高配置的

range: group or series of similar things; selection or variety 成套或成系列的东西、种类
sell a whole range of tools 出售各种各样的工具