Luxury car-maker Mercedes-Benz India expects 2015 to be a better year than the previous one.
The company sold 10,201 units in 2014, crossing the 10,000-unit mark for the first time.
It had sold 9,003 units in January to December 2013. Among its key competitors are BMW and Audi.
“We had a capacity of 10,000 units a year in the Pune plant, and now we are almost done with doubling the capacity in the factory. This makes us future-ready and the big advantage is that we will be able to use it fully as and when required,” Eberhard Kern, Managing Director and Chief Executive, Mercedes-Benz India, told
He said the company was ready to manufacture more models here, which otherwise are being imported.
“We have decided to add the sixth model in the plant with the CLA-Class and others are in progress,” Kern said.
He added the company has invested ₹1,000 crore on expansion and, depending on demand, would invest more.
On Wednesday, the company launched two new models — E 400 Cabriolet and new CLS 250 CDI Coupe — priced at ₹78.50 lakh and ₹76.50 lakh, respectively (all ex-showroom, New Delhi).
While the Cabriolet is powered by a six-cylinder, three-litre petrol engine, the CLS is powered by a four-cylinder, 2.2-litre diesel engine. This is the first time the company has launched the CLS-Class with a diesel engine.
“2015 will be another growth year for us after a successful 2014. We have an initiative called ‘15 in 15’ this year, which means 15 new launches and 15 new dealers,” Kern said.
The company has also launched cloud-based applications called Mercedes-Benz Apps, which takes ‘Command Online’ Internet connectivity to the next level, he said.
Kern said the company has launched three models in a single month this year, adding 15 new products that are being introduced this year will include those with no predecessors in India.
The company will add another 15 dealers to the total of 71 in 39 cities this year, he added.