Mercedes Benz is set to begin assembling its S-Class cars at its facility in Pune from April, reports ET Bureau citing a top executive of its Indian unit.
Mercedes-Benz India’s sales increased 32% year on year to 9,003 units in 2013. The automaker now expects to outperform as the market leader again in the premium segment with a number of new launches.
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“We have made huge investment in India for a local assembly and production plant. With a body and paint shop, we are able to churn out a substantial production from our Pune plant,” said Eberhard Kern, Mercedes-Benz India CEO and MD. “The annual capacity has also been doubled to 20,000 units to meet our sales targets of the future.”
By launching eight new models in India in 2013, Mercedes plans to boost its local assembly operations to hit the competition and correct the shortage of SUVs in its portfolio for India.
The C-Class, E-Class, ML-Class and the GL-Class were assembled in India. The company plans to launch its GLA SUV and the CLA sports sedan in India.
“We are contemplating to get some new product in 2014 and backed by a strong production infrastructure in place some pleasant product surprises should be expected soon,” Kern said. “We managed to outsell our competitors on most of the segment we operate, and that to despite not having a full range of SUVs in our portfolio.”
