Mercedes-Benz India rolled out the 30,000th locally assembled car in India from their manufacturing facility in Chakan. The milestone car, an E350CDI Avantgarde had its logo ceremonially crowned by the company’s MD and CEO Dr Wilfried Aulbur on the ocassion. Mercedes-Benz also announced the start of second shift in its production facility with immediate effect.
In another important revelation, the company said that it has decided to increase the portfolio of locally produced cars beyond the S-, E- and C- Class range starting 2013. This means that some of the other higher end Mercedes cars, such as the M-class and the R-class will be produced locally if volumes permit. “We plan to indigenize more and more products in India, focus upon local sourcing and optimize local value addition. We have decided to increase the portfolio of locally produced cars beyond the S-, E- and C- Class range starting 2013” commented Suhas Kadlaskar, Director Corporate Affairs and Human Resources.
In line with its growth plans, the company has also decided to set up its own advanced water-based paint shop by the second half of 2012. The paint shop will have an annual capacity of 20,000 units which can be extended up to 40,000 units annually. The new paint shop will take Mercedes Benz’s total investment in Chakan plant to more than Rs 600 crores.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Aulbur said, “Our plant is regarded among the best CKD plants of Mercedes, globally. Within two years of moving into the new facility we have already fulfilled our first shift capacity. Start of our second shift will cater to the increased market demand as we foresee in the years to come.”
Mercedes-Benz has shown impressive growth in the past one year. “The luxury car market grew by approximately 65% in Jan-Nov 2010 while Mercedes-Benz India grew faster than the market at 86% in the same period”, said Dr. Aulbur