"For the current year, we hope to sell around 1,800 cars. And going by the sales trend achieved till now we are right on the target," says Sajiv Sahajwala, director, sales & marketing.

While the overall numbers are expected to increase, Daimler Chrysler expects a slight fall in C class car sales due the introduction of the upgraded model and phasing out of the older one.

Coming at the same price, the new C Class Mercedes Benz is aggressive in styling, has a sportier suspension and steering configuration. The wheel-base has bee increased to 16 inches and the car now comes with six CD changers. The new model comes in two versions — the petrol C 200 Kompressor and the diesel C220 CDI.

With focus on improving the quality of service rendered at the retail end, Daimler Chrysler has now stipulated its dealers to get their processes ISO 9000 certified. "By the middle of next year all our dealers will sport the ISO tag," says Sahajwala.