Mercedes-Benz India eyes double digit growth

New Delhi, Jan 4 (ANI): The Indian arm of Mercedes-Benz, a unit of Daimler, expects to post double-digit sales growth this year, as it launches new models in Asia's fourth-largest auto market, its chief executive said on Monday.

Wilfried Aulbur, Managing Director and CEO of Mercedes -Benz India Limited, on the sidelines of the launch of two new cars, S 500L and GL 350 350CDI, informed that the company sold 3,220 cars in India last year, as compared to 3,250 in 2008.

"We think that 2010 is going to be a very exciting year for Mercedes-Benz. We are looking at a significant double-digit growth going forward. And we think we have the product, we have the network, that we have the schemes that are necessary to leverage the economic upswing in 2010 to our fullest advantage," Aulbur said.

Keen to boost sales, global automakers will unveil a slew of cars at India's Auto Expo, which runs from Tuesday to January 11 as they turn to one of the few remaining growth markets to keep their engines humming.

The car manufacturer is focusing on non-metro cities to achieve its targets.

"What we are seeing in India is that growth actually is happening across the country. And there is lot of wealth available in tier-2 cities in some tier-3 cities as well. So, we make sure that with our network expansion that we are as close as possible to our customers. We will open a dealership in Goa. We are about to open a dealership in Surat," said Aulbur.

"So, as the market potential grows clearly we follow market demand and make sure that our customers get the best in terms of sales and after sales experience," he added. (ANI)