Luxury car brand Mercedes-Benz hopes to continue its growth momentum in India during the current year, despite the fact that it has been a rough ride for most auto companies here.
Though in 2012 it posted a close to four per cent drop in sales at 7,138 cars from 7,430 cars in 2011, in the first quarter of 2013, it has sold 2,009 units, representing a 5.3 per cent growth over the comparable previous year quarter.
“This is significant, considering the fact that most others have posted a drop in sales during the period,” said Boris Fitz, Director (Sales and Network Development), Mercedes-Benz India Pvt Ltd. There has been a slowdown in the mass market product categories. “However, the luxury segment that we are catering to still remains untouched by this phenomenon,” said Fitz. Hence, the company hopes to post two-digit growth this year.
Dealership network
“Considering our January-March sales figures, we are pretty much on course,” he added. The company also plans to increase its dealership network. Without specifying numbers, Fitz said that during 2013, the company would expand its presence from the current 32 cities and 57 outlets.
Launching its most recent ‘compact luxury’ car A-Class in the Chennai market on Tuesday, Fitz said the company launched eight new products in 2012, including the new M-Class, SLS AMG roadster, GL-Class and E-Class Sports Edition. The M-Class enjoys a wait-list status till September 2013, he said.
Besides the all new A-Class, the company has lined up a few more launches during the current year.