· The de-growth in the Delhi/NCR market was compensated by a strong demand in other markets across the country
· Delhi NCR dealer partners negatively impacted by the restriction on diesel vehicle registration, and were unable to participate in the growth witnessed in the luxury car segment across markets
· An unwavering customer preference for the Three Pointed Star continues in the
Indian market despite market challenges
· Mercedes-Benz scripted a historic sales for the 2015-16 Fiscal Year, selling
13,558 units between April 2015 and March 2016 (April 2014 to March 2015:
11,213; + 21%)
· Clocks the best ever quarter: 3,622 units sold in January to March 2016 period
(January to March2015: 3,566 units; +1.6%)
· The best month ever: March 2016 sales was the highest ever recorded in a single month by Mercedes-Benz in its history
· The E-Class was the highest selling car model for Mercedes-Benz in the first quarter of 2016
· The only luxury brand to clock more than 13,500 units in both calendar and fiscal year
· Waitlist continues for the S-Class, Mercedes-Maybach and GLE across dealerships in India
· Spectacular growth buoyed by strong customer sentiment as well as a diverse product portfolio comprising the luxury sedans, the NGCs, the SUVs and the
Dream Cars
Mr. Roland Folger, MD & CEO, MB India
Chandigarh: India’s largest luxury car maker Mercedes-Benz today announced its best ever sales in the dynamic Indian market. The company recorded its best fiscal year (13,558 units), best quarter (3,622 units) and best monthly sales ever (March 2016). This historic sales performance firmly underscores the growing customer preference for the Three Pointed Star in India, as a result of a highly focused customer centric approach adopted by the brand. The Q1 sales momentum achieved is significant against the backdrop of the diesel ban in the key Delhi and NCR market, successive price hikes and a lack of incentives for the automotive sector in the Union Budget.
The E-Class, celebrating 20 years in India, was the highest selling car model for Mercedes-Benz in the first quarter of 2016. The E-Class’ popularity was closely followed by the C-Class which remained a significant volume contributor in Q1 2016. Apart from the sedans, the SUV portfolio comprising the GLA, GLE and the GL also grew in Q1 2016. The New Generation Cars remained a steady contributor to volumes in the quarter as well.
Roland Folger, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India, commented “It is a significant achievement for us, as we have maintained our growth momentum in Q1 2016, despite facing multiple market challenges. We have been able to compensate the negative sales impact in the Delhi and NCR market, with a strong double digit growth achieved in most other markets across the country. This strongly underlines the fact that luxury car buyers increasingly prefer Mercedes-Benz. It underpins as well that the loyalty of our discerning patrons is with the brand. Our product drive across the spectrum, the tailor made finance programmes, the unique service initiatives have all been well appreciated, resulting in our historic sales success. Pursuing our ‘go to customer’ strategy we presented world-class retail facilities to our patrons in both new and existing markets. We also remained the luxury car brand with the most comprehensive retail network. This network drive enhanced our growth story even further with new customers opting for a Mercedes-Benz.”
Mr. Folger elaborated, “The result of our ‘Winning’ initiatives has been instrumental in achieving an inclusive growth for Mercedes-Benz in the first quarter itself. We are confident of maintaining this profitable and sustainable growth in India, as we will be introducing some of the most awaited products from our global portfolio in the coming months. The success of the first quarter, despite facing significant sales challenges, gives us the confidence that our strategy for 2016 is on the right track and bearing fruits. We are delighted with the multiple sales records achieved this year. With some of the most awaited products, brand and service initiatives ahead of us, the remaining quarters are going to be exciting and promising for Mercedes-Benz.”
(All figures of Mercedes-Benz India are that of retail sales.)
Established in 1994, Mercedes-Benz India Pvt. Ltd. pioneered the luxury car market in India and boasts of more than 130 years of cutting edge innovation in the luxury automobile industry globally. Set up in 2009, Mercedes-Benz India’s world class production facility is spread over 100 acres in Chakan near Pune. Since June 2015, Mercedes-Benz India also commenced production from its new expanded production facility located in the same premises. The production facility now carries an investment of INR 1000+ crores and has the largest installed production capacity for any luxury car maker in India.
Mercedes-Benz India product portfolio comprises the locally produced Mercedes Maybach S 500, S-Class, E-Class, C-Class, CLA sedans and the GLA, GLE and the GL-Class SUVs. Completely Built imported cars portfolio includes the A-Class, B-Class, CLS, SLK, E-Class Cabriolet, S-Class Coupé, and the S 600 Guard a range of other Guard vehicles etc. The product portfolio also comprises the iconic off-roader Mercedes-AMG G 63 as well as a wide range of other Mercedes-AMG performance cars like the AMG CLA 45, AMG C 63 S, AMG E 63, AMG SLK 55, AMG S 63 Coupe, AMG GL 63, AMG ML 63, AMG S 63, AMG GLA 45, GLE 450 AMG Coupe and AMG GT S. Given Mercedes-Benz’s continuous success in India across myriad spectrum of sales, network, operations, services, finance, etc. 2016 will be the cornerstone to inculcate the spirit of winning despite emerging market challenges.
‘Winning with Mercedes-Benz’ philosophy is also derived from the unrivalled success created by the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 team in the highly competitive Formula 1 in the past years. In 2016, Mercedes-Benz will initiate a range of innovative customer oriented initiatives which are ‘winning’ in nature and will further underline the brand’s strong customer centric approach. In 2016, Mercedes-Benz began its ‘winning’ motto with the launch of the fascinating GLE 450 AMG Coupe, as the first product of the year. The second launch Mercedes-Maybach S600 Guard is the costliest product from Mercedes-Benz India fleet. The third launch of the year is S400 from Mercedes-Benz India. The company has also been ranked number one in the J.D. Power Customer Service Index 2015, among the luxury brands for the second year in a row. Mercedes-Benz India registered a historic 32% year-on-year growth by selling 13502 units in the Jan–December 2015 period and became the No. 1 luxury car brand in terms of sales volumes, as well. For the third consecutive year, Mercedes-Benz India has witnessed a double digit growth and has emerged as the ‘most awarded luxury car brand’ in India. The brand has won as many as 30 prestigious automotive awards conferred by different media houses across India, the highest won by any luxury automotive brand in India this year.