Mercedes to launch Corporate Edition soon

Mercedes-Benz recently regained its top slot in the luxury car segment after beating BMW, its arch rival. After BMW India launched its Corporate Edition priced at Rs. 23. 95 lakh (ex-showroom, India), some reciprocating action from Mercedes Benz was well expected by the automobile industry. Mercedes has come up with the plans of its new Corporate Edition that would priced at about Rs 26 lakh and be launched in the C class segment.

The corporate models are launched keeping the India's cost-sensitive market in mind, cutting on some features from the top-end models which are then priced at lower prices. BMW has kept the sale open for corporates as well as individuals, but Mercedes would keep the buying closed only for fleet owners, corporate houses and hotels for maintaining their corporate image. Presently, Toyota Camry, Skoda Superb are already placed in the same segment.

As other corporate versions this one too would be a stripped down version of Mercedes C-class but with better fuel efficiency and would deliver 170bhp with 400Nm. In place of pure leather in the top-end Mercedes C-class model, this version would sport Artico man-made leather. On the exteriors it would have 7-spoke 16” Alloy wheels.

As compared to the original C-class model many features would be stripped down in the corporate model including electrically foldable mirrors, LED turn indicators, anti-theft package, parametric and multi-functional steering wheel, sunroof, xenon headlamps, parktronics, mobile pre-installation and gear selector in leather cover. Also, the model would have burr-walnut wood trim instead of eucalyptus wood trim.

Mercedes Benz has recently recorded a growth percentage of 80% in its recent sales beating its staunch competitor BMW hands down. The company is riding high on spirits as the major portions of sales have come from the Tier II and the Tier III cities. This position has been gained by clocking sales of 321 units in April 2010 as against 178 units in April 2009. BMW on the other hand has been able to garner sales of 307 units in April 2010 compared to 240 units in April 2009. With the corporate model to be launched soon, the spirit is set to rise high for the Top luxury car maker.