Mercedes Benz To Launch Three New Models In India

By Ganesh

Updated: Tuesday, February 4, 2014, 14:39 [IST]

Mercedes Benz, which was at one time India's largest luxury car brand, hopes to gain back the position with the launch of three new models, in a span of just three months. While the company has maintained a positive outlook in terms of sales, the aim this year will be to take that figure up to a double digit growth.

Mercedes Benz India, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Eberhard H. Kern has revealed that the automaker has three new launches scheduled, the first of which will be the new Mercedes-Benz GL luxury sports utility vehicle. The Merc GL SUV will be launched on May 16 in New Delhi, which will be followed by launch of the B-Class diesel variant by the end of May. Before the month of June comes to a close India will also be introduced to the A-Class for the first time. Both diesel and petrol A-Class variants will be made available in India.

Mercedes Benz India witnessed a growth of 5.3 percent during the first quarter of 2013, while sales in 2012 crossed the 7,000 mark. But for the company to achieve double figure growth this year it needs to strengthen its portfolio in the sub-30 lakhs price mark. Towards this end Mercedes Benz has plans to launch more than a couple of SUV models.

As per its global strategy, Mercedes Benz has thirteen models planned for launch by 2020, ten of which will be new models.

The Mercedes Benz A-Class, which is scheduled to make its India debut, is basically the same as the B-Class, but with a few minor design changes. The A-Class could be termed more as a working class model, while the B-Class is targeted towards a younger crowd with its more sporty look.