Merc eyes double-digit growth

Mercedes-Benz India Private Limited is confident of achieving a double-digit growth in sales during 2012. The company recorded a 30 per cent growth in sales at 7,430 units in 2011.

“We are confident of a good double-digit sales growth during the second half of this year. We want to expand our market by launching two models towards the end of 2012 and 2014.

We will launch a ‘B’ class sedan in December 2012 and a small sports utility vehicle in 2014 in India,” Debashis Mitra, director, sales & marketing, Mercedes Benz India said.

The company, on Wednesday opened its first Trendz outlet at UB City in Bangalore, where it will showcase some of its models. “Our plan is to go closer to the customer and introduce latest brand offerings to the premium customers and also inspire young achievers to be a part of the three pointed star. There are around 150,000 dollar millionaires in this country and only 25 per cent of them buy premium cars. We want to target this segment of population to expand our market,” he said.

Mitra said the company is also looking at strong growth in sports models with the launch of its Performance Driving Academy at the Buddh International Circuit.

The academy will train Indian performance car enthusiasts how to drive such cars in different road conditions. The company would charge Rs 75,000 per day per person at this academy where expert drivers from Germany would teach driving, he said.

Mercedes also unveiled the new design language and launched the SLS AMG Roadster and showcased the DTM Racing Car at the Trendz outlet. It aims to open many more such outlets across the country during the current year, Mitra said.

The company also plans to open 15 sales or service outlets every year in the next four to five years and target Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities for expansion, he added.