Mercedes-Benz India to assemble S-Class in India from April 2014

Mercedes-Benz India that launched the S-Class premium saloon in India recently, is all set to assemble the car at its Pune manufacturing unit from April, 2014. Moreover, the German luxury carmaker is also planning to launch a couple of new models in the country in order to regain its top position in the luxury car segment.

Mercedes-Benz India recorded a 32 per cent sales growth in 2013 and is now grabbed the second position in the luxury car segment. Currently, Audi rules the luxury segment of Indian car market with over 10,000 units sold last year. The new Mercedes-Benz S-Class is currently imported into India and is priced at Rs. 1.57 crore (ex-showroom, Delhi).

Speaking to ET, Mercedes-Benz India CEO and MD, Eberhard Kern, said, "We have made huge investment in India for a local assembly and production plant. With a body and paint shop, we are able to churn out a substantial production from our Pune plant. The annual capacity has also been doubled to 20,000 units to meet our sales targets of the future."

Currently, Mercedes-Benz assembles the C-Class, E-Class, ML-Class and the GL-Class in India. The upcoming Auto Expo will witness the GLA SUV and the CLA Sports sedan, which is expected to hit the Indian shores by the end of this year.

"We are contemplating to get some new product in 2014 and backed by a strong production infrastructure in place some pleasant product surprises should be expected soon," Kern said. "We managed to outsell our competitors on most of the segment we operate, and that to despite not having a full range of SUVs in our portfolio."

Source: ET