Mercedes-Benz India pioneered
the luxury car industry in India by starting its India operations in 1994. In
2009, the company moved into its world class production facility spread over 100
acres in Chakan. The new plant earned the benchmark of being among the fastest
green-field operations ever to be created and is rated among the top most CKD
plants of Mercedes-Benz, globally. The initial investment of Rs 250 crores was
scaled upto to Rs 600+ crores with the setting up Mercedes-Benz India’s own
technologically advanced paint shop capable of water based painting. The new
paint shop is targeted to be operational by October, 2012 and has an annual
capacity of 20,000 units (which can be extended up to 40,000 units annually).
Peter T Honegg, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India
commented: “We are bullish about the Indian market and this is reflected in our
long term commitment towards the dynamic Indian market. The investment of Rs 850
crores will help us strengthen our production and operational capabilities with
regards to our existing products and our exciting and aggressive product
offensive which we are readying for the Indian market. This investment will
enable Mercedes-Benz India to be future ready.”
Presently
Mercedes-Benz India locally manufactures its flagship sedans the C-Class, the
E-Class and the S-Class sedan in its plant in Chakan near Pune. With Daimler AG
recognizing the emergence of high potential growth markets including India,
Mercedes-Benz India will earn the distinction of being amongst the first markets
to start assembling the new M-Class, outside Daimler AG’s parent SUV plant in
Tuscaloosa/Alabama, USA.
Piyush Arora, Director- Technical,
Mercedes-Benz India added “Mercedes-Benz India’s aggressive growth plan includes
the local manufacturing of several new models in the coming years, beginning
with the new M-Class. This fresh investment is in sync with the growth
expectations from the Indian market and will further strengthen the range of
locally manufactured Mercedes-Benz models from the Indian
operations.”
In addition to the proposed increase in investment to Rs
850 crores in its production facility, Mercedes-Benz India through its dealer
partners already carries an investment of over Rs 480 crores spread across its
31 showroom and 41 service outlets located in 31 Indian cities. Mercedes-Benz
India is also aggressively and strategically expanding its network reach which
is the densest by any luxury car maker in India. As part of its aggressive
network expansion strategy, Mercedes-Benz India plans to add new touchpoints
each year going forward on a sustained manner for mid and long term growth.
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