Mercedes-Benz, India’s favourite luxury car manufacturer, has announced a price hike across its entire model range; effective from the start of January 2020. An official report confirms that the 2020 MY three-pointed stars will carry a price tag, higher by at least 3% compared to the figures at present. The German automotive brand, just like every other manufacturer that has announced a price hike, has pointed the finger at rising input and commodity prices.
Martin Schwenk, MD & CEO of Mercedes-Benz India, shares that the company has been analysing multiple cost variations that have put its entire locally-made range in pressure. In order to go forward with a sustainable business strategy without undervaluing the loyal customer base, Mercedes-Benz was left with no other option than to introduce a slight price hike.
Martin further added that the brand’s financial support programmes such as Star Agility+, Wish Box, Star Finance, etc., will continue delivering the best opportunities to purchase a Mercedes-Benz product, just like before. This is also the reason why the brand has always remained the favourite luxury choice in the Indian passenger vehicle market even though a lot of major names set foot in the country over the years.
Established in 1994, Mercedes-Benz India celebrated its 25th anniversary only recently and has 95 outlets across major cities in the country. AMG (Aufrecht, Melcher and Großaspach), the German brand’s performance model division, has its own exclusive hubs in six cities: New Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Kochi and Pune.
At present, Mercedes-Benz India sells more than 15 regular models, 8 AMGs and one Maybach (S 560 and S 650). The product portfolio is quite strong even compared to regular brands selling vehicles that cost a fraction of the price of an entry-level Mercedes-Benz.
When it comes to the luxury car segment, sedans or saloons are easily the most desirable. In this regard, Mercedes-Benz has got a major business advantage over the likes of Audi, BMW or Jaguar with products such as the CLA, C Class, E Class and the benchmark S Class.
The new Mercedes-Benz GLC facelift is the brand’s latest offering in the country. With a starting price of Rs 52.75 lakh ex-showroom, the GLC is a popular mid-size 5-seater SUV that rivals the BMW X3, Volvo XC60 and Land Rover Discovery Sport. It features Mercedes-Benz’s state-of-the-art MBUX infotainment system that opens doors to a range of features and functions via touch, gestures or by just saying, “Hey Mercedes”. Mercedes will next launch the new gen GLE SUV in India, next month.
