Mercedes to increase prices by upto four percent

Mercedes-Benz India has announced that it will raise the prices of its entire line-up by 2.5 to 4.5 percent, effective September 1, 2013. The carmaker cites exchange rate effects, higher import duties and rising input costs coupled with a host of other unfavorable factors like higher interest rates as the cause for the price hike.

Eberhard Kern, managing director and CEO, Mercedes-Benz India, commented, “The rising input costs along with higher import duties have been creating significant pressure on our bottomlines for quite some time now. The constant weakening of the currency and the increase in other relevant taxes further impacted the business, adversely. We have been absorbing a significant portion of these impacts till now, but to run a sustained and profitable business in the long run, revising the prices upwards was inevitable. However, despite the price hike, the attractive financial solutions from Mercedes-Benz Financial Services like ‘Flexinomics’, ‘STAR Agility’ and ‘STAR Supersonic’ loan approvals etc. are all tailor made for our customers. These solutions will provide benchmarking value proposition enabling a hassle free purchase, while our after-sales programmes like Star Care, Star Ease and Road Side Assistance, will enhance the customer’s overall ownership experience.” 

The price hike will bring into effect the following price revisions: 

A 180 CDI - Rs 22.05 lakh (up four percent) 
B 180 CDI - Rs 23.50 lakh (up four percent)
C 200 CGI Avantagarde - Rs 32.25 lakh (up 2.5 percent) 
E 200 CGI - Rs 42.16 lakh (up 3.5 percent)
ML 250 CDI - Rs 50.98 lakh (up four percent)

All prices ex-showroom, Mumbai.