Change of address

More proof that India is indeed an important market for major international automobile manufacturers. And they do not get more major than Mercedes-Benz. The company with the famous three-pointed star symbol has inaugurated its spanking new manufacturing facility in Chakan, Pune this week. The old facility at Pimpri, Pune was required by the land owners, Tata Motors, for their own expansion, so the need for a new address of their own was accentuated even more.

The new Mercedes-Benz plant is spread out over a 100-acre facility which is geared up to produce the usual complement of C-, E- and S-Class sedans. Production is flexible enough to accommodate production of other models if required by market demand in the future. Not just the passenger cars, the new plant will also bring out Mercedes-Benz Actros trucks as well as their new inter-city bus chassis which was recently launched in India.

The new state-of-the-art facility, which features some of the most advanced equipment available worldwide, was completed in thirteen months from the start of construction and is among the fastest greenfield projects to have been completed. It features independent assembling facilities for passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles and top ranking company officials have big ambitions for the new factory.

Joachim Schmidt, chairman of the board, Mercedes-Benz India said, “A growing market, increasing demand and exciting products: these are the ingredients of Mercedes-Benz’s India story. And it all happens here, at the new home of Mercedes-Benz in India.” Dr Wilfried Aulbur, MD and CEO, Mercedes-Benz India, added “Over the years we have grown. From the 600 units back in 1999, we sold 3,600 units in 2008, with growth doubling consistently in the last three years.

Mercedes-Benz has indeed come a long way in the country. The German manufacturer started its Indian innings with a collaboration with Tata Motors (it was Telco then) to assemble trucks. They took a significant step by starting local production of the W124 E-Class in 1995. Since then, the manufacturer has had a virtual monopoly of the luxury car market in India. It’s only over the last couple of years that others like BMW, Audi and Porsche have stepped up their aggression in the Indian market. With the new plant, Mercedes-Benz hopes to consolidate its leadership in the Indian market.