Following the market trend, German luxury carmaker Mercedes-Benz is banking on the success of its diesel variants to boost its sales figures in India.
Peter T. Honegg, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India, told the Deccan Chronicle that with the rising fuel costs, more and more Indian consumers were showing a preference for diesel cars and therefore the company’s “portfolio will also go more in the direction of diesel cars.” Growing competition in the luxury car segment is another reason why the company is focusing on diesel variants for the Indian market. The company has a current ratio of 60:40 for diesel v/s petrol cars, while the company intends to preserve the same level of petrol offering, it however intends to increase the number of diesel variants currently offered in the Indian market.
The diesel variants are however expected to hit the Indian market only by the end of 2012. Mr. Honegg stated the company has placed orders for more diesel car kits. The company assembles S-Class, E-Class and C-Class cars at its Chakan facility in Pune, Maharashtra.
