GLA-Class will be an important product for Indian market

At the launch of the C-Class Edition C, we speak to Mr Eberhard Kern, MD, Mercedes-Benz India to understand the company's future plans. The company has had a very successful 2013 and we try to understand the company's future plan for the upcoming year.

Q1) Why the C220 for the Celebratory Edition and why not C250 CDI?

Ans) The C220 has a powerful engine with 170bhp of power and good mileage. It is what the customers like it, and we think it is ideal to see the vehicle in this variant for the Celebratory Edition.

Q2) What are the sales of the festive season like? Did the new compact cars drive it?

Ans) The compact cars have about 20% of our market share. It is the C and recently launched E that take majority of the stake. Even the SUVs have a great demand and huge waiting period due to high demand. We have had a 32% growth in calendar year in Q3. We have a total investment of Rs 850 crores and the current investment is now Rs 250 crore to expand from 10,000 annual production to 20,000.

Q3) What's the current petrol and diesel sales share?

Ans) At the moment it is about 80-20 for diesel and petrol. Diesel is dominant fuel and it will remain to be. The sales of petrol will shoot up, but still diesel will be the major seller despite the rise in petrol engines.

Q4) Are you looking at increased localisation and adding Indian OEMs?

Ans) Yes we are looking at increasing the local content in Mercedes-Benz products, not just for India but globally. The idea is to make this Indian OEM as a global supplier for Mercedes-Benz. We have a dedicated purchase team inPune whose task is to develop and enlist suppliers for global production. We have a team of about 10-12 people in our Chakan people who are in touch our global team.

Q5) When can we expect the S-Class to come in India and what all variants?

Ans) You can expect the S-Class to be first showcased at the upcoming Auto Expo next year. We cannot confirm which all variants will be coming, as we have to make the decision sometime early next year and that is when we will have to decide.

Q6) When can we expect the GLA to come?

Ans) The GLA-Class was showcased for the first time to the world at the recent Frankfurt Motor Show. It will first be launched in the European markets sometime in May-June next year and it is after that it will be allotted for the Indian market. It will definitely come here, however we aren't sure yet on when can we expect it. Compact and mid-size luxury SUVs are in great demand in India and hence, the GLA-Class is an important product for the Indian market.