Mercedes-Benz to launch new variants in India

Mercedes-Benz India plans to launch new variants of its models in the coming months and the company was currently seeing an upswing in its sales, a key official said on Tuesday.

Director, sales and marketing of MB India, Debashish Mitra, however, declined to go into the details on the proposed new variants and merely commented: "You (media) will hear from us a number of times this year (on new variants)".

He said the company's sales was witnessing 'upward swing' in the second half (July-December 2009) after a drop in the first six months like any other automaker in the country.

E-class of passenger cars is in the process of being phased out. "We are ready to welcome new E-class", Mitra said, adding, the launch of this new car is 'not far away'.

In 2008, MB sold 3625 cars, 240 units of trucks and 15 units of MB buses in India.

Company officials said MB plans to increase headcount by 500 to 1,000 engineers at its R & D centre here in the next few years from the existing 200-250 people.

MB on Tuesday launched the 'Special Edition C-Class' in Bangalore.

The company plans to produce only 60 units of this vehicle in order to maintain exclusivity, Mitra said.

This car carries a price tag of Rs 30.10 lakh onwards ex-showroom Bangalore, officials said.