Mercedes-Benz aims at best ever performance on Indian roads

19 May 2008

Status symbol equals Mercedes-Benz. India seems to be form believer in this equation, considering the astounding success that the luxury car brand has enjoyed in this country. Other luxury players like Audi and BMW may have also tasted success, but Mercedes-Benz still rules the Indian heart and mind.

Not surprisingly, it has announced its intention to sell more cars than ever in India this year. And this target is quite justified, considering that the company has already sold more than 50 per cent of its 2007 sales during the first four months of 2008. ''Between January-April 2008 we have sold 1,330 units - both locally made and imported - against 2,491 units sold in all of 2007," Mercedes Benz India managing director Wilfried Aulbur said, adding that the current year's target was to sell more than 3,000 cars. 

He had earlier spoken to us on how Mercedes-Benz had pioneered the luxury car segment in India, at an exclusive interview at the New Delhi Auto Expo in January this year. (See: Mercedes-Benz pioneered the luxury segment in India: Dr Wilfried Aulbur)

This was the first time the company registered four digit sales figures in a single quarter of a calendar year in Indian market. Bulk of the sales increase during the current year is attributed to the new C class model, of which the company sold 681 units against 779 units sold in all of 2007.

According to Aulbur, Mercedes-Benz has sold 221 S-Class models, 371 E-Class, 681 C-Class and 57 CBU in January-April 2008. Last year, the company had registered an impressive growth of 18 per cent by selling 411 S-Class models, 1,104 E-Class, 779 C-Class, 197 CBU, totalling 2,491 units.

Aulbur added that there was a rising trend of young entrepreneurs, software professionals and successful businessmen opting for Mercedes-Benz. "We have come up with attractive finance schemes for them so that they can afford to drive home a Mercedes-Benz," he said.

The company has discarded its old name DaimlerChrysler India and boosted its marketing strategies with the new name. (See: DaimlerChrysler India renamed to Mercedes-Benz India)

In the January-March quarter, Mercedes Benz sold a total number of 1,094 units. The quarter also saw the company selling more than 100 S class vehicles. On 9th April, Mercedes-Benz rolled out the 20,000th locally produced car, an E-class.