German luxury car maker Mercedes-Benz, one of the largest player in this segment in India, has expanded its product offering with the launch of 11 products this year, to maintain its lead over competitors Audi and BMW. It launched two new convertibles, priced (ex-showroom, Delhi) at Rs 60 lakh and Rs 2.25 crore, respectively.
Despite a decline in volume this year, the company remains upbeat. “In spite of several market challenges, we have been able to remain the undisputed market leader by selling 9,924 units in the January-September period of 2016. With new products, especially the SUVs, combined with network expansion and after-sales initiatives, we aim to continue with this momentum,” said Roland Folger, Managing Director at Mercedes-Benz India.
The January-September volume is lower by 1.5 per cent against the corresponding period of 2015. Mercedes attributes this to the uncertainty around diesel vehicles, imposition of cess in the Union Budget and then by the Supreme Court (for sales in the National Capital Region).
Mercedes Benz overtook Audi in India sales during 2015 when it sold 13,502 vehicles (growing 32 per cent over 2014). Audi’s number for the current calendar year has not been announced. BMW, the third biggest, has also not announced sales data this year.
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