Mercedes Benz launches special edition of model C-class series
21 Aug 2009
On the sidelines of an event marking the launch of its special edition model C-class series in New Delhi, luxury car maker Mercedes Benz India said it has not yet fixed a timeline of the launch of it's A-class and B-class models in the country.
The luxury carmaker had earlier considered launch of both the models but according to auto industry experts propbably deferred the move as the highly priced small cars (Rs20 lakh) may not be quite suit the budget of aspiring Indian car owners. The company enjoys a 36-38 per cent market share in the Indian luxury car segment and has sold 3,625 units last year and 1,630 units in the January-July period of 2009.
Mercedes' C-class model is a new variant available both in petrol and diesel versions priced in the range of Rs28.46 – 31.30 lakhs. The new models come with various add-on features including 17- inch Avantgarde alloy wheels, media interface for ipod connectivity, Avantgarde design front and rear bumpers, new sportier avantgarde grille and electrically foldable outside rear view mirrors with new arrow shape turn indicators all designed to make that statement for the car connoisseur.
The company presently sells its offerings through 12 dealerships in 25 cities in the country and had recently announced plans to invest Rs150 crore for expanding its retail network over the next 18 months to mostly cover Tier II cities.
The company's Pune facility has a capacity to manufacture 5,000 passenger cars per year per shift and 1,200 commercial vehicles per year per shift. According to a senior company executive it has earmarked a sum of Rs400 crore for investment in the Pune facility.
According to Wilfired Aulbur, managing director and chief executive officer, Mercedez Benz India, the company hoped to consolidate its leadership position in the luxury car segment which is expected to reach 8,000 units by the year end. He added that the company was optimistic about the E-Class and believed it along with C-Class variants will drive the company's high growth during 2010.