Mercedes charts out growth plans

Mercedes-Benz India rolled out its 30,000th locally assembled car (that includes the C, E and S class) in India. The company took 13 years to produce its first 20,000 cars but the next 10,000 was achieved in less than three years.

Mercedes recorded an 86% year-on-year growth in sales in Jan-Nov 2010 and the company expects the growth to continue in the coming years. Convinced that the bullish run will continue, the company is investing more than Rs 200crore in a new paint shop that will be operational by the second half of 2012. Mercedes currently uses the Tata Motors paint shop.

To meet with the growing demand, a second shift will be added on a permanent basis. In a single shift the factory can roll out 5,000 units. The Germany giant also plans to indigenise more products in India and focus on local sourcing.

Speaking on the occasion, MD & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India, Wilfried Aulbur said “Within only two years since start of our new facility, we have already exceeded our first shift capacity. Due to high demand of our vehicles, we are now moving into a permanent two shift operation”.

Commenting on the bulk order Mercedes acquired in Aurangabad, Aulbur said that the number was nearing 200 units. The company is also going to open up full-fledged facilities in Rajkot and Baroda in 2011. He also said that the company is targeting 40,000th unit mark in less than two years.