Mercedes-Benz to launch 15 products in India

German luxury carmaker Mercedes-Benz plans to introduce 15 new products in India this year, and pump in ₹150 crore for adding a new assembly line for its upcoming CLA compact sedan at the Chakan facility.

'Mercedes-Benz will introduce 15 products in 2015, including products with no predecessors in India. These new products are Mercedes-Benz India's biggest product initiative till date,' the company said in a statement.

The aim is to not only retain the loyal patrons attached with the brand, but also winning new young customer groups aspiring for a Mercedes-Benz, it added.

'The products will be feature rich variants, keeping in line with the company's strategy of bringing the right products at the right price,' it said.

Besides, the company plans to invest ₹150 crore during the year for adding an assembly line for CLA compact sedan, expected to be launched in the country later this month.

'Mercedes-Benz India will continue its aggressive strategy in its operations as well with an additional investment for capacity expansion in the Chakan Plant, taking the total investment to over ₹1,000 crore,' it said.

The extended facility has secured the necessary clearances and will begin production by June, it added. 'With this expansion, the plant will now have a capacity of 20,000 units per year, the largest for any luxury car manufacturer,' the company said.

Mercedes, which reported record sales of 10,201 units in India in 2014, also plans to enhance its dealer network by around 15 outlets in 2015.

'The product offensive will be supplemented with an aggressive network expansion during the year. Another 15 outlets will be inaugurated in mature as well as tier II and III cities, in continuation with the 'go to customer' strategy,' the company said.

This will be the highest ever in a year for the brand in India and will continue to further expand the densest luxury car network in India, it added.

Mercedes-Benz India, Managing Director and CEO, Eberhard Kern said: 'Enriched product portfolio, future ready operations, best customer experience, enhanced touch points and efforts to be a responsible corporate citizen will be the catalysts in propelling the company towards its objective.'