Mercedes-Benz posted record sales in India in the first half of 2010 and high growth rates enabled it to gain substantial market share. Sales rose by 69 percent in the first six months of the year and a total of 2,500 vehicles were delivered to customers. Mercedes-Benz saw sales climb by 83 percent in June alone.
Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing, Mercedes-Benz Cars: “Sales substantially exceeded our expectations in the first half of 2010, supported in particular by the success of the new E-Class. We are currently the strongest premium brand in India and we want to build on our success in the second half of the year and expand our market position. As was the case in the first six months, we are also aiming to achieve record sales for the full year 2010.” Mercedes-Benz sold a total of 3,200 units in India in 2009.
India is currently the third-largest automotive growth market in the world. “We expect India’s premium segment to grow more rapidly than the market as a whole in the coming years,” says Schmidt. “Mercedes-Benz aims to have a corresponding share of this growth. The basis for this growth is a large number of attractive products. We offer customers a broader range of products than any other premium brand. Currently we have supplemented this lineup with another fascinating vehicle: The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG super sports car is available in India now.” In India, Mercedes-Benz offers a total of 30 models in eleven product segments.
The new E-Class was introduced to the Indian market in October 2009. Like the S-Class sedan, the E-Class sedan took the lead in its segment in the first half of 2010. Sales of the E-Class sedan jumped by 109 percent in the first six months of the year to 1,000 vehicles. Sales of the S-Class sedan grew by 25 percent during this period. The M-Class was also the top-selling car in its segment during the first half of the year, sales of the SUV increased by 30 percent. The C-Class sedan posted strong growth as well, with sales increasing by 53 percent and was the market leader in its segment in June.
Mercedes-Benz has had a presence in India since 1954. In 1995, the company became the first premium automaker to set up its own production facilities in the country. This was followed a year later by the opening of a research and development center in Bangalore. The company also maintains a procurement office in the country. In 2009, the company created the framework for future expansion by opening a new production facility for cars and commercial vehicles in Chakan/ Pune. The plant manufactures vehicles for the Indian market. The sales network is being continuously expanded and now consists of over 50 centers in 26 cities. Daimler Financial Services, the financial services division of Daimler AG, is now also preparing its entry into the Indian market.
