Mercedes to focus on Tier-II cities, to launch 12 new products in 2016

It has witnessed a 32% growth in 2015, selling 13,502 cars in the country

In the year 2016 Mercedes will launch 12 new products, some products without a predecessor, and inaugurate 10 new outlets, driving into new markets with a focus on Tier-II markets like Vijayawada, in India, said Roland Folger, managing director and chief execuitve of Mercedes-Benz India.

Folger on Monday inaugurated the first 3S luxury dealership in Vijayawada city, the new power centre of Andhra Pradesh, and said it was emerging markets like Vijayawada that strengthened their belief in the India growth story ever more.

Mercedes-Benz now has 23 outlets across 10 cities in the Southern market. It has witnessed a 32 per cent growth in 2015, selling 13,502 cars in the country while registering a 40 per cent growth in Southern market, which had contributed 27 per cent to the national sales in the same year, according to the company.

"As part of our India strategy, we have invested in our plant over Rs 1,000 crore and have an installed manufacturing capacity to 20,000 units annually. This is a unique accomplishment for Mercedes-Benz, as we are a luxury car manufacturer with the largest installed production capacity in India coupled with the highest network reach of 83 outlets across 41 cities. We are also the only plant in the world that manufacturers an array of cars like NGCs SUVs and sedans, all under one roof,"he said.

In an effort to drive more value to the customers, the company's localisation content also has increased upto 60 per cent for the cars it makes in Pune, according to him. The company manufactures 8 cars and SUVs namely, CLA, GLA, C-Class, E-Class, GLE, GL-Class, S-Class, and the Mercedes-Mayback S 500 in Pune.