Mercedes-Benz India: Facts & Figures

[visran]

Mercedes-Benz India kick starts the festive season in India with F1 fever

Mercedes-Benz India, the official automobile partner of the Buddh International Circuit, launched its festival campaign on 1st September, which will go on till 15th October 2012 across all its 31 showrooms across India. During this period Mercedes-Benz India will gift customers who purchase the Three Pointed Star, a unique opportunity to meet the Star of the racing world: Michael Schumacher along with an all expenses paid trip to watch the Formula 1 race. Also, 100 Grand Stand tickets to the 2012 Airtel Indian Grand Prix will be gifted to customers who visit the showroom and take test drives. Tickets to the race will be on sale at all Mercedes-Benz showrooms across India. Enthusiasts can also indulge in exciting merchandise of the Mercedes AMG PETRONAS F1 team which will be on display.

Debashis Mitra, Director Sales and Marketing, Mercedes-Benz India commented “Mercedes-Benz is synonymous with superlative customer experience. Echoing our brand philosophy of ‘Best or Nothing’, this festival season we are glad to present the ideal gift for any car and racing enthusiast: a chance to meet the racing legend Michael Schumacher and also an opportunity to watch the 2012 Airtel Indian Grand Prix”. Mercedes-Benz has a close association with racing dating back to the legendary Silver Arrows, to the brand’s current association in form of the Mercedes GP Formula One team and DTM racing. In India, Mercedes-Benz is the Official Automobile Partner of the Buddh International Circuit and has 6 cars running on Mercedes-Benz engines this year on the circuit”.

He further added that owning a Mercedes-Benz is not just about owning a luxury car and it is much more than that, it is being a part of the legacy of 126 years of innovation, passion and path breaking technology. We want to leverage our association with racing to present a delightful and exciting Star studded experience to our customers and enthusiasts, this festival season across the country.

 

[visran]

Mercedes-Benz to increase investment in India to Rs 850 crore by 2014

Luxury car maker Mercedes-Benz India plans to increase its investment to Rs 850 crore by 2014. The German car maker through its dealer partners already carries an investment of over Rs 480 crores spread across its 31 showroom and 41 service outlets located in 31 Indian cities.

"We are bullish about the Indian market and this is reflected in our long term commitment towards the dynamic Indian market. The investment of Rs 850 crores will help us strengthen our production and operational capabilities with regards to our existing products and our exciting and aggressive product offensive which we are readying for the Indian market, said Peter T Honegg, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India.

MBIL pioneered the luxury car industry in India by starting its India operations in 1994. In 2009, the company moved into its production facility spread over 100 acres in Chakan. The initial investment of Rs 250 crores was scaled upto to Rs 600+ crores with the setting up Mercedes-Benz India's own technologically advanced paint shop capable of water based painting. The new paint shop is targeted to be operational by October, 2012 and has an annual capacity of 20,000 units (which can be extended up to 40,000 units annually).

Mercedes-Benz India locally manufactures its flagship sedans the C-Class, the E-Class and the S-Class sedan in its plant in Chakan near Pune. With Daimler AG recognizing the emergence of high potential growth markets including India, Mercedes-Benz India will be amongst the first markets to start assembling the new M-Class, outside Daimler AG's parent SUV plant in Tuscaloosa/Alabama, USA.

Mercedes-Benz to increase investment in India to Rs 850 crore by 2014 - The Economic Times

 

[visran]

Mercedes-Benz inaugurates a new showroom in New Delhi Mercedes-Benz India has inaugurated its new state of art dealership in New Delhi, today. Spread over 20,000 sq. ft. and built with an overall investment of more than Rs 50 million towards the facility, T&T Motors West Delhi will give the customers a classy yet sporty feel of the brand with its exciting range of Mercedes-Benz cars including the all new B-Class Sports Tourer.
Peter Honegg, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India and Ravi Talwar, Chairman, T&T Motors Ltd. inaugurated the dealership in presence of Debashis Mitra, Director, Sales & Marketing, Mercedes-Benz India. Peter Honegg, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India commented “Big metros will remain key enablers for driving growth for Mercedes-Benz India, and Delhi will play a pivotal role in this growth story as it is a matured market with a well established base for connoisseurs of luxury cars. Delhi has tremendous growth potential for Mercedes-Benz as our customer base has been rapidly increasing here and the buyers want to experience the superlative attributes of the Brand Mercedes-Benz.”

“T&T Motors has been our distinguished partners in India since 1997 and we share a similar growth story. In T&T Motors, we see a partner who shares the same passion and commitment towards excellence in servicing the customers. I am confident that our growing customer base in New Delhi will experience even further an enriched vehicle ownership experience. Inauguration of T&T Motors West Delhi is part of our ‘Go to Customer’ strategy which is defining newer benchmark for the luxury car industry in India and we are committed to reaching out and delighting more customers and expanding our footprints to more Indian cities” added Honegg.

T&T Motors West Delhi is a well structured showroom with contemporary design, strategically located at Rajouri Garden area to cater to the growing customer base of Mercedes-Benz in West Delhi. Created in a span of mere three months with an initial investment of over INR 50 million towards the facility, T&T Motors West Delhi offers a unique blend of lifestyle and contemporary ambience bringing the customer closer to the brand. The showroom built with an objective of creating a luxurious experience for the customers, is a delight to visit. T&T Motors West Delhi is completed with luxurious Mercedes Café, a valet service, display of the exciting range of Mercedes-Benz cars, Mercedes-Benz accessories & collectibles, an engaging Mercedes-Benz Experience zone and several other exciting aspects. T&T Motors West Delhi also has a dedicated and highly trained team to ensure on-time & efficient sales and after-sales service facilities for the discerning customers.

Ravi Talwar, Chairman, T&T Motors Ltd. commented on the inauguration “T&T Motors has been one of Mercedes-Benz’s long standing partners and it is an honour to be associated with the prestigious brand with the Three Pointed Star. I am extremely delighted to present this world class dealership to our connoisseurs of West Delhi. We have already started receiving bookings from customers which reiterates the growing demand for the brand in this region of the national capital. In sync with Mercedes-Benz’s brand philosophy of ‘Best or Nothing’, T&T Motors West Delhi will provide the customers with world-class service standards and the complete display of the emotion evoking product range of Mercedes-Benz passenger cars, will be a huge draw for our esteemed customers.”

With the inauguration of T&T Motors West Delhi, the first ever Mercedes-Benz showroom in West Delhi, Mercedes-Benz retains the distinction of being the leading luxury car brand with the densest sales and service network penetration in India with 72 touchpoints spread over 31 Indian cities. The dealership will have Mercedes Cafe to provide the customers a delightful experience visit. Services like easy finance, insurance of the cars will be available at the new dealership.

Mercedes-Benz inaugurates a new showroom in New Delhi | WheelsUnplugged

 

[visran]

A complete coverage of Mercedes-Benz India brings ‘StarDrive Experience’ Chandigarh

Mercedes-Benz India brings ?StarDrive Experience? to Chandigarh | Motoroids

 

[visran]

MERCEDES BENZ TO LAUNCH THE GLA/BLK CROSSOVER IN INDIA IN 2014, TO RIVAL THE BMW X1 AND AUDI Q3

In 2014, Mercedes Benz India will enter the entry level luxury SUV segment in India, with the GLA/BLK crossover. This announcement was made by Mr Debhasis Mitra, Director of Sales and Marketing at Mercedes Benz India, to a response to a question posed to him during the Q&A session after the launch of the B-Class sports tourer. The crossover, which was spotted uncamouflaged only last week, will go on sale in the European market come late 2013. The crossover will rival the likes of the BMW X1 and the Audi Q3.


Expect competitive pricing, just like the B-Class as CKD assembly of the 2014 GLA crossover is almost a certainty given that the crossover is based on the MFA platform. While Mercedes Benz India is not really targeting big volumes with the B-Class given that it is a new segment it is creating here, the case of the GLA crossover is expected to be quite different. Given that the likes of the Audi Q3 and BMW X1 crossovers already operate in this segment, the 2014 GLA crossover is expected to target big volumes for Mercedes Benz in the Indian luxury car segment.

Mercedes Benz is expected to price the GLA crossover in the range of the BMW X1 and the Audi Q3. Looks wise, the 2014 Mercedes Benz GLA crossover seems like a raised A-Class sports hatchback, replete with a taller stance and higher ground clearance. The crossover is strikingly similar to the A-Class sports hatchback in terms of external design and Mercedes Benz is expected to beef up the looks by adding more character given that the GLA is a crossover aimed at entry level luxury SUV buyers who prefer butch looks. Like its competition, the 2014 GLA will accommodate five adults in a 2+3 seating layout.

Expect both front wheel drive and all wheel drive variants of the GLA crossover given that it is based on the flexible MFA platform, which can accommodate both front wheel drive and all wheel drive layouts. The crossover is also expected to share the engines and transmissions with the A-Class hatchback, which means that both turbo petrol and turbo diesel engine variants are expected to be on offer. Transmission options could include the 6 speed manual and a 7 speed dual clutch automatic DCT gearbox options. Given that the GLA represents the “affordable luxury” range from Mercedes Benz, the crossover is expected to be loaded with safety and luxury features.

Mercedes Benz to launch the GLA/BLK crossover in India in 2014, to rival the BMW X1 and Audi Q3 | IndianCarsBikes.in

 

[visran]

Another interesting initiative from MB, but i guess it would not work in our market

Mercedes-Benz to introduce self-leasing

Young buyers will be able to rent a Merc for two or three years for an all-inclusive fee of Rs 1 lakh per month.

Over the next two years, when Mercedes Benz launches four of its New Generation Compact Cars in the country - the B-class sports tourer, the A-class family compact, a Baby Sedan and a Baby SUV, all in the Rs 25-30 lakh segment - it will be looking at a younger segment of buyers. But it's not just about offering a car that will have features and innovative quirks younger owners might like. "Young users means a fast-changing cycle of cars, or newer ways of acquiring them," says Debashis Mitra, director, sales & marketing at Mercedes Benz India. Also Read: Mercedes-Benz introduces iSales for dealers

The company's answer to both is self-leasing, by which young consumers can rent a Mercedes for two or three years for Rs 1 lakh every month (this includes leasing, insurance, warranty and service fees). That way, they can still own a Mercedes-Benz and keep changing models when they want, says Mitra, adding that since globally, about 50% of people lease their luxury cars, why can't young, affluent, aspirational Indians do it too? The self lease option, which Mercedes-Benz already offers, has no down payment; simply a monthly rental. "This makes affordability come home," says Mitra, "and you can keep changing cars every few years since you never really own the vehicle."

Studies of the 2.4 million passenger car market in India, say luxury cars make for only 1 per cent today. But by 2020, when the passenger car market grows to an estimated 7-8 million, luxury cars will comprise 3-4 per cent of that. Young consumers, says Mitra, will account for a big part of this jump from an approximate 25,000 luxury cars today, to about 3 lakh in eight years from now. "The bigger chunk of this Indian luxury car market will come from young consumers," he adds.

Mercedes-Benz to introduce self-leasing| ZigWheels.com

 

[visran]

MERCEDES BENZ INDIA TO LAUNCH MORE DIESEL ENGINES FOR ITS ENTRY LEVEL CAR MODELS LIKE THE A-CLASS AND B-CLASS

The reason why Mercedes Benz launched the B-Class only in petrol guise is due to the fact that the turbo diesel engines for the cars based on the MFA platform are capable of meeting Euro V emission norms, which requires the use of a highly sensitive diesel particulate filter(DPF). The latest Euro V compliant diesel particulate filter of the new range of turbo diesel engines cannot run on Indian diesel, whose quality is quite variable.

Therefore, Mercedes Benz engineers are now coming up with a workaround for this issue by retuning the injection system so that the turbo diesel engines that will power the likes of the A-Class and B-Class can run on the diesel that is available in India, which has a higher sulphur content than what is the case in Europe. Going forward, Mercedes Benz is expected to launch the diesel powered B-Class in India with a 1.8 Liter turbo diesel engine good for 107 Bhp of peak power and 250 Nm of peak torque. This turbo diesel engine will be reworked to work on Indian diesel.

This engine is a downsized version of the 2.2 Liter turbo diesel engine that is used on a range of Mercedes Benz cars from the C-Class to the S-Class. On the MFA platform cars, this engine has been adapted to be mounted in a transverse(East-West) layout as the MFA platform cars are front wheel driven. This engine is available in more powerful states of tune: 122 Bhp-300 Nm and 170 Bhp-350 Nm. In the future, Mercedes Benz India will launch these more powerful states of tune of its turbo diesel engines for upcoming MFA plaform cars like the CLA coupe and the GLA compact crossover models, which are expected to debut in India during 2013 and 2014.

Mercedes Benz India to launch more diesel engines for its entry level car models like the A-Class and B-Class | IndianCarsBikes.in

 

[visran]

Mercedes Benz plans to introduce sub-Rs 20 lakh vehicles starting with A-Class

The German luxury auto major Mercedes Benz has been hardest hit among the luxury auto makers mainly dominated by the German auto majors like BMW and Audi. But the company plans to regain its sales position and plans to do it with the introduction of models including the A-Class, priced below Rs 20 lakhs.

According to the reports, the company, which will complete launching of products aimed to drive volumes in India by 2015-16, expects 40 per cent of its entire product range to be priced below Rs 25 lakh in the next 5- 10 years. It is investing Rs 250 crore on new product line up till 2014. It was reported that the upcoming model A-Class in next year could be priced in the sub-Rs 20 lakh category. The company will also introduce a sports utility vehicle based on the A-Class platform.

The auto makers like BMW and Audi have gained big numbers with their respective X1 and Q3 models which are the Rs 23 lakh plus region. The A-Class could prove to be a hit if the pricing which is key element in the Indian auto market is set right.

http://www.theautomotiveindia.com/f...-benz-strategy-regain-india-leadership-2.html

This model is already a block buster for MB globally and such aggressive pricing in India will only help to increase it's sales number.

 

[S Class]

Some offers on C class from Merc -

 

[visran]

Mercedes India reveals its plans for 2013. CLA Coming this year

Mercedes Benz India has revealed its plans for the year 2013. The car maker will be launching a range of new cars to try to reclaim the lost grounds in Indian luxury car segment.

Coming up first will be the new generation GL class luxury SUV. The new GL shares new age design cues with the new M-class which was launched in India last year and the new car will become the new flagship SUV in Mercedes India line up.

Soon after launching the new GL, Mercedes will introduce the much awaited diesel variant of the B-class sports tourer. Powering the B Class Diesel is likely to be a 134bhp, 1.8-litre oil burner mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. To be christened as the B200 CDI, the diesel variant will push the sales of the B-class in India.

The hottest Mercedes launch of the year will be that of the new Mercedes CLA class which was unveiled recently. We are happy that the car won’t take much time to come to us and the CLA will sit below the C-class to become the cheapest Mercedes sedan to be on sale in India.

Also coming to us is the A-class premium hatchback that will be launched some time in summers. The A-class will share its engines with the B-class and that means the car will come with a 1.6 litre turbocharged petrol and 1.8 litre turbo diesel engine.

Source: ACI

 

[S Class]

Mercedes-Benz opens largest dealership in India

German luxury car manufacturer Mercedes-Benz has inaugurated its largest showroom in India in South Delhi. The flagship store owned by T & T Motors is spread across 60,000sq ft, presently the largest among luxury car manufacturers in the country.

Eberhard Kern, MD & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India, who inaugurated the store, said, “Mercedes-Benz’s driving force has been the quest for defining newer benchmarks for the luxury car segment in India, together with the commitment to create fascination and unparalleled levels of luxury for our discerning customers. The inauguration of the flagship store is a testimony to this fact. It personifies brand Mercedes. This flagship store is the largest luxury car showroom in India today, and underlines our passion and deep commitment in giving the ‘best or nothing’ experience to the customers.”

The store located at Mathura Road was constructed at a cost of Rs 70 crore. The showroom can display 26 cars at a time and has a special customer lounge called Café-Mercedes. The performance focused AMG range of vehicles will have a separate dedicated floor.

Mercedes-Benz opens largest dealership in India| ZigWheels.com

 

[visran]

Re: Mercedes-Benz opens largest dealership in India

The store located at Mathura Road was constructed at a cost of Rs 70 crore.

Wow, 70Crore is a lot of money just to build a car dealership

 

[S Class]

Re: Mercedes-Benz opens largest dealership in India

Wow, 70Crore is a lot of money just to build a car dealership

Merc showrooms in normal case is also more expensive & this showroom hosts entire AMG range. If you see, the cost of the showroom is just about the price of 25-30 SLS AMG cars or about 55 S Class cars.
If you compare price of showroom:price of cars sold, you won't find it expensive then.

 

[visran]

Mercedes Benz India and Mercedes Benz Financial have launched an iPhone and iPad app called ‘myMBFS’. This app is absolutely free to download from Apple App Store.

‘myMBFS’ will allow its users to locate the nearest Mercedes Benz dealership, contact a DFS (Daimler Financial Services) Finance & Insurance Manager, determine a monthly payment amount on a vehicle of their choice and check current promotions from Daimler Financial Services.

Key Functions of the ‘myMBFS’ App:

Promotions: Allows users to see what active promotions are available on Mercedes-Benz cars from Daimler Financial Services.

Estimator: This feature allows the user to specify their own details (such as selection of vehicle, financial product, length of contract, etc.) and determine the monthly payment amount for the Mercedes-Benz product of their choice.

Get Quote: After determining the monthly payment value, the user can request a detailed vehicle quote from a local dealer by simply providing a few contact details and sending an email request for quotation.

Dealer Locator: Allows customers to view available dealers in their area, searching by GPS or City. Once the results are displayed, the user can call or map the dealer location using the iPhone/iPad’s internal mapping client.

Contact Us : important contact information for Daimler Financial Services is displayed in this section, allowing users with additional questions to reach out to us directly.

Mr. Sidhartha Nair, Managing Director, Daimler Financial Services India Private Limited, said, “Our customer base today, who aspires to own a Mercedes-Benz car, are technology savvy and are always in touch with the world on the go. Our ‘myMBFS’ application not only gives them an access to the world of Mercedes-Benz but also helps them in their purchase and finance decisions.

This app will help us deliver our customer centric services, in the digital world, through devices to the palm of our customers . The fascination for innovative technology have always guided us to pioneer better ways to connect with the customer. This app is specifically tailored for India, ensuring that customers have access to information relevant to them.”

 

[visran]

MR EBERHARD KERN TO TEAM ICB: MERCEDES BENZ INDIA TO LAUNCH GL-CLASS SUV IN MAY; A-CLASS & B-CLASS DIESEL IN MID 2013

* The Mercedes Benz GL-Class SUV will be launched in India during May 2013. The GL-Class SUV will initially take the CBU route and later be assembled through the CKD route.

* The GL-Class SUV is expected to be sold with a 3 liter V6 turbo diesel engine mated to a 7 speed dual clutch automatic transmission as standard. The GL-Class will be pitted directly against the Audi Q7 luxury crossover.

Mr Eberhard Kern to Team ICB: Mercedes Benz India to launch GL-Class SUV in May; A-Class & B-Class Diesel in Mid 2013 | IndianCarsBikes.in