Mercedes-Benz 'bullish' on India, launches 2 M-class variants

Leading global luxury vehicle maker Mercedes-Benz which today launched two variants of the 2010 M-Class here said it was 'bullish' on India in 2010 and keen on leveraging India for its growth strategy in terms of R and D and global sourcing.

"We expect a good year in 2010 and we are hoping to build on the momentum of 2009 when we sold 140 M class, which was double the sales compared to 2008", Dr Wilfried G Aulbur, MD and CEO, Mercedes-Benz India, told media during the launch of its Sports edition and luxury edition of its M-class today.

The company is investing Rs 200 crore in revamping the network in terms of creating new showrooms, upgradation of showrooms and facilities and entering new cities, he said.

It is planning a new Benz centre in Delhi with 26 car display, a 12-car display in Hyderabad and a 16-car display in Chennai, he said apart from investing in manpower.

"We are growing aggressively and have a clear strategy in place for leveraging India aggressively for R and D and global sourcing", he said adding "China and India are high on our agenda for global sourcing".

The company also plans to launch 12 products in 12 weeks of the current year, he said.
The firm was looking at introducing the SLSAMG, a sports car, to India by this year end and already had six confirmed bookings from places like Hyderabad, Mumbai and Delhi.

It also plans to introduce the E-Coupe. However, the company is not looking at introducing hybrids since most are left hand drive cars.