Mercedes recorded a 41 percent year-on-year growth with sales of over 15,000 units in 2022.
Mercedes-Benz India will launch 10 new vehicles in 2023, said the new managing director and CEO Santosh Iyer. This was announced at the launch of the first of the 10 cars, the new Mercedes-AMG E 53 4Matic+ Cabriolet. The carmaker said its motto for 2023 is “Desire for the Extraordinaire” and is aligned with the brand’s global aim of “building the world’s most desirable cars”.
The GLC will also see its India debut in Q3 2023. It also teased a version of the G-Class but did not divulge any information.
- Mercedes-Benz GLC to launch in Q3 2023
- AMG Driving academy to make a comeback
- Chakan plant used 100 percent green energy in 2022
- Brand aims to bring down waiting periods by streamlining production
Mercedes-Benz India sold 15,822 units in 2022, registering a 41 percent year-on-year growth. “As we close this most successful year in [Mercedes-Benz’s] history, I thank India for making us the most desirable luxury car brand in this market,” said Iyer.
Mercedes-Benz’s strategy for 2023
At the launch of the AMG E 53 Cabriolet, Mercedes-Benz India also announced its strategy for 2023 to improve its sales for this year. The German carmaker says it will aim to do this using six key strategies.
One of the strategies that Mercedes-Benz will employ to continue its growth further from 2022 will be to ‘think and act like a luxury brand’. Iyer said the brand is planning to launch cars and SUVs that fall in the top-end segment of the market. The carmaker will also do this by offering its customers to participate in global as well as national events, such as Mercedes’ Winter Driving Experience at the North Pole and the AMG Driving Academy at the Buddh International Circuit.
Furthermore, Mercedes introduced the “Mercedes me” store application that allows users to subscribe to connected car services and all of these will also be available on the brand’s website. The carmaker is promoting its online as well as offline stores for purchasing new vehicles.
Additionally, Mercedes-Benz has introduced a new online trade-in platform for pre-owned car buyers. The carmaker has also introduced an AI-powered i-evaluation app for pre-owned car buyers to assess the vehicle on different parameters – vehicle details and images – before purchase.
Mercedes-Benz will also have dedicated personnel for Maybach and AMG customers. It will also digitalise vehicle diagnostics and customer service.
Iyer said the carmaker is committed to minimising its carbon footprint at the Chakan plant. “We run consistent programmes to sensitise employees to become environmentally conscious and responsible,” he added.
Mercedes also aims to go completely paperless in 2023. Last year, the plant used 100 percent green energy and the brand says it will continue to do so. Mercedes also commits that a third of its franchise partners will operate on green energy in 2023, and all by 2025.
Mercedes-Benz has installed 35 ultra-fast chargers across the country to date. These chargers will be provided free of cost in the first year of ownership. The brand says it is working on streamlining its production so it can aim to bring down the waiting period on its cars from 4-9 months to 2-3 months.
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