Mercedes-Benz India Jan-Oct sales up 47%

Kolkata, Nov 01 (UNI) Luxury car maker Mercedes-Benz India has sold 3,141 units from January to October during the current year, posting a growth of 46.7 per cent in volume, over the same period in the previous year.

Informing this to newspersons here today, Mercedes-Benz Director (Sales and Marketing) Sanjiv Sahajwala said the company sold 2,141 premium luxury cars during the first ten months of the previous calendar year, adding the company's total sales figure stood at 2,491 in 2007.

Out of the firm's total sales in India, the northern and western region amounted for 40 per cent and 30 per cent respectively, while the share of the country's southern part was assessed at 27 per cent, according to him.

However, the contribution of the country's eastern region was only three per cent, Mr Sahajwala observed, but was reluctant to give any future sales projection of Mercedes-Benz India.

On the other hand, the firm's market share had come down to around 50 per cent from 90 per cent in the country's luxury car segment during the past four-five years, Mr Sahajwala informed.

''It is because more players have emerged in the scenario during the period,'' Mr Sahajwala admitted.

Ruling out any slump in the automobile sector in the wake of global economic slowdown, the director said the rising demand had necessisated the company to shift its plant from Chikhali to Chakan area in Pune by the first quarter of 2009.

''The plant at Chakan near Pune, sprawled over 100 acres, will command a capacity of 5,000 units per year, while our existing plant in Chikhali, with an output capacity of 3,000 vehicles per year, is built over a land area of 20 acres,'' Mr Sahajwala elaborated.

Meanwhile, the director unveiled the Mercedes C 220 Avant Garde in the city.

The luxury cars showcased by Mercedes-Benz ranged from Rs 27 lakh to Rs 70 lakh under the CKD (Complete Knocked-Down), while the price tag for the CBU (Complete Built-Up) lied between Rs 50 lakh and Rs 2.4 crore, he further informed.

UNI SB DPM SRC/1605