DaimlerChrysler India doubles sales growth rate in 2006

Mumbai, Jan 2 (UNI) DaimlerChrysler India has sold 2121 CBUs (completely built units) in India from January to December 2006, registering a growth rate in sales close to 11 per cent as compared to 5.7 per cent in 2005.

The Company has also netted the highest-ever sales for the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, E-Class and C-Class cars for India during this period.

Announcing this today, a Company press release, quoting its CEO and MD Dr Wilfried G Aulbur said, ''We were pioneers of the luxury car segment in the country and our India strategy is based on three pillars: Latest products in the least time; intensive customer service and after-sales support and optimizing efficiencies for cost effectiveness.'' Keeping in view the customer expectations, DaimlerChrysler has continuously widened the product portfolio of its Mercedes-Benz brand offerings for the Indian market. It produces the S-Class, E-Class and the C-Class cars in India, while other products are offered through the imported cars route as CBUs. These include the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, M-Class and the especially popular models like the SLK-Class and the CLS-Class.

''We can today offer our Indian customers the latest products and technology advantages parallel to such introductions in leading international markets. The well-entrenched sales and distribution network that extends across 29 cities in India has also been a critical enabler in the strong sales record for 2006,'' added Dr Aulbur.

Over the past years, the customer profile of Mercedes-Benz owners has witnessed a distinct shift. Today the customer base is growing younger in terms of average age of ownership with young entrepreneurs, IT professionals and successful businessmen getting increasingly attracted to the Mercedes-Benz brand.

There is also a growing demand from non-metro cities, the release said, adding that to satisfy customer needs, DaimlerChrysler India has expanded its operations to cities like Ludhiana, Kolhapur, Madurai, Bhubaneshwar, and others. The Company has claimed it is the only automobile company in India to have completed ISO9001: 2000 certification for its entire dealer network.

UNI