Mercedes-Benz Cars in India

Mercedes-Benz is wholly owned subsidiary of the Daimler AG. It entered the Indian market and set up Mercedes-Benz India Ltd in 1994. Daimler merged with Chrysler, the Indian company and renamed it as DaimlerChrysler India Private. DaimlerChrysler sold off most of its equity interests in Chrysler in 2007. It changed its name to Daimler AG. As a result, DaimlerChrysler India was renamed Mercedes-Benz India once again. The company is based in Pune.

Mercedes-Benz India Ltd signed a joint-venture with Tata Motors and launched the E220 officially in India. Mercedes-Benz and Tata Motors had struck a deal in 1954 to jointly manufacture medium commercial vehicles. All the Mercedes-Benz passenger cars were assembled at Tata Motors Pimpri plant. This plant was utilized by the German manufacturer to assemble and paint their cars. Tata Motors however sold off its entire stake of  the company to Mercedes-Benz India in the beginning of 21st century. Apart from producing automobiles, Mercedes-Benz is also known for producing coaches, trucks and buses

Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India (MBRDI):
Mercedes-Benz established a research and development centre (MBRDI) in Bangalore in 1996. It had eight employees in 1996 and now it has got up to 367. MBRDI today is the largest research centre for the company based outside Germany and contributes in the areas of Computer Simulation (CAE), Design (CAD), Electrical/Electronics and IT-Services.

Mercedes-Benz Manufacturing Plant:
Mercedes-Benz India formally started its new manufacturing plant in Chakan near to Pune in February 2009. The new facility was completed within a year and a month from the start of construction among the fastest green-field projects to be created. With an area of 100 acres of land and independent assembly facilities for passenger cars and commercial vehicles, the infrastructure was created to address future expansion needs. Mercedes-Benz is also planning the long-term growth of the company in India. This plant was designed to manufacture the current local production portfolio of the Mercedes-Benz C, E, and S Class; it is also flexible enough to accommodate additional production of other models from the Mercedes-Benz model range on the same assembly line.

Mercedes-Benz India at present has 22 dealerships across 17 cities in 11 states and 2 Union Territories of India and has its Service Stations in 32 cities in 16 States and 2 Union Territories of India. Mercedes-Benz India recorded sales of 2,402 vehicles in the first half (January-June) of 2010.

Mercedes Benz Future Plans in India:

Mercedes Benz is planning to introduce the ‘New Mercedes R- Class’ in the upcoming years in India. The model was initially launched in 2006 and has undergone several changes since then, and this new model had been unveiled at the New York Auto Show earlier this year in April 2010.the cost of this car is expected around 60 lakhs. The price tag is hefty as the model is being imported as a completely built unit, which makes it not have any realistic competition.
 

Mercedes-Benz models