The performance arm of Mercedes-Benz, AMG, has grown 70% this year and more models could be brought to the lineup if demand is there, according to new CEO Roland Folger.
However, the Mercedes boss believes that improvements in road conditions and fuel quality is required to open up the brand to a wider range of customers.
High-performance models like the S63 and GLA 45 AMG are already available, but models like the S65 and A45 AMG - available in other markets - are missing from the Indian lineup.
Folger believes that the five new AMG performance centres in India have increased the public image of the high-performance brand, but demand from the customer for new models must be there in order to bring them to the market.
“In the AMG range of products, we do things that are required by our customers,” Folger told Autocar India.
“We react, to a certain degree, because we don’t want to really oversupply the market.
“That is not conducive with the positioning of AMG. So we will bring those vehicles when customers are asking for them.
“But we see a strong interest and I would say that the income level is there, it’s a question of exposure and of being able to explain to the customers what AMG versions of the products can really do for them also personally,” he added.
Folger also hinted at a further presence of SUVs in the AMG lineup after that market also grew 70% year-on-year up to September 2015, and the Mercedes boss expects that trend to continue.
“SUVs will make their mark closer and closer to the typical sedans,” Folger said.
“AMG can play a strong role in that because the combination of sport utilities with sporty vehicle driving capabilities is obviously something that our customers want.”
However, Folger also said that problems with poor road conditions and fuel quality in India hamper demand for AMG models, and urged the government to assist in creating new standards for fuel in the country.
“If the roads would be conducive to more comfortable, safe and faster driving, naturally that would play a big role in drawing customers to AMG.
“Consumers have not been deterred by that factor alone, though.
“It would also be helpful to have a different change in fuel quality, but that does not only play into the hands of AMG, that would be making our overall product offering much more up-to-date, much more secure and much more environmentally conscious as well.
“Road conditions are something that you can deal with more on a regional level, but to come to new standards within fuel quality would be the most important and, hopefully, the very first step that the government will take.
“We would applaud that direction, definitely,” he added.
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