Mercedes-Benz India To Begin Exports From Chakan, Pune

Mercedes-Benz India is headquartered in Chakan, Pune, Maharashtra. They are now looking at options to export Mercedes-Benz vehicles from India. Several of their vehicles are locally manufactured in India and this helps Mercedes price its product competitively.

Currently, importing a Completely Built Unit (CBU) vehicle in India can attract high excise duty in the range of 60 to 100 percent. On the other hand, local assembly and production of vehicles reduce import costs, and makes products more affordable and easier to purchase.

Roland Folger is the new Managing Director and Chief Executive of Mercedes-Benz India. Under his leadership, the first vehicle to be launched was the GLE SUV. Mercedes-Benz confirmed that the GLE would be assembled in India from day one.

Mercedes-Benz India officials are currently in talks with the Chief Minister of Maharashtra for additional tax concessions. Mercedes's manufacturing facility has the capacity to produce more vehicles for export; however, they are looking at establishing a Free Trade Agreement between state Government and them.

Currently, locally produced vehicles by Mercedes-Benz receive components like axle, cockpit, engine, flooring, gearbox, and wiring harness, which accounts for almost 60 percent of locally used parts in Mercedes India vehicles.

On the competition front, Mercedes-Benz competes with Audi and BMW in the luxury vehicle segment. Mercedes is poised to retain the number one luxury manufacturer in the country. The company is focussing on maintaining leadership; thus export of products will further help them.

During 2015, Mercedes-Benz India planned on launching 15 new products. So far, the manufacturer has managed to launch 13 new models in India, only two new vehicles remain, and they are most likely to be launched shortly.