Mercedes-Benz India is targeting double digit growth in 2010. “Our sales are growing and the launch of this model will reflect on the sales of other models in the Indian market,” said local managing director and CEO Wilfried Aulbur as he launched the flagship SLS AMG ‘super sportscar’ in New Delhi on Friday (16 July 2010).
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M-B booked record sales growth in India last month, selling 388 units, up 94% year on year. The C200 introduced only in mid-May proved quite a hit as the automaker has now sold over 320 units.
India has now become on of the first few right hand drive markets globally to launch the SLS AMG but is coy on the sales target for the sports model.
“We have not set any sales target for the car. We received about 10 confirmed bookings for this car [by the end of] June and it takes us at least six months to deliver it,” Aulbur told just-auto.
Pressed further about Indian market demand, he added: “We [cannot match the] sales growth pattern of the Chinese market but we are sure there is lot of potential in the Indian market still untapped and [within] just five to 10 years [it should mature into] a good market for luxury cars.”
In the first half of 2010, Mercedes’ sales surged 79% to 2,402 units compared to 1,342 in H1. Powering the growth are models like the recently redesigned E class (1,065 units) and C class (926).
The SLS AMG was first shown in India during Auto Expo 2010 in New Delhi earlier in the year.
