Mercedes-Benz India is entering the used car space and is also looking to launch long dstance inter-city buses to take on the likes of Volvo.
“The used car segment is not organised in India. Currently, dealers out of their own interest sell used Mercedes vehicles. As an organisation Mercedes, has globally started the business actively under which we have a standard global used car programme. As part of global programme, it will also be launched in India soon,” said Debasish Mitra, head of marketing and sales, Mercedes-Benz India.
“Mercedes-Benz India has sold about 17,000 cars from the time it set up shop in India. However, estimates are that nearly 25,000 cars have been bought till date in India, as close to 8000 cars were imported into India before Mercedes-Benz set up shop,” said Mr Manas Dewan, general manager, corporate communications at Mercedes-Benz India. Mr Dewan was also in town to launch the M-Class.
“We are working to launch the used car programme in India. It will be launched by December 2009,” said Mr Mitra.
On launching inter-city buses, Mr Dewan said: “Mercedes-Benz India has launched buses suited for intra-city services, by way of Mercedes-Benz intra-city luxury coaches. We are doing a market survey on the demand for such buses. This will be followed by designing buses for Indian road conditions. The idea is to transport passengers to another city so that they arrive there fresh, with minimal exhaustion.”
Speaking on dealer networks, Mr Mitra said: “The dealers have committed a total investment of Rs 150 crore to ramp up infrastructure in 2009. Despite a sagging economy, the luxury car segment in India did not suffer much. However, finance have been a problem and that has affected sales to an extent.”
Source: Economic Times