Orissa is truly shining. Its new found status as an investment destination has seen a significant increase in the customer base for various luxury products.
This is testified by the fact that a company like Daimler Chrysler, which would have crossed Orissa out in its marketing map for India, today sees a potential market for its luxury segment cars in the state.
Says Hiteswar Singh, CEO, Intercraft, the dealer for Mercedes-Benz cars in east India, of late the sales in Orissa has increased appreciably.
While company sold only 2 cars in 2005-06, it increased to 18 in 2006-07. Encouraged by the growing interest of the customers Intercrafts is aiming to sell about 25 cars per annum in Orissa.
Singh was here to launch two new models of Mercedes-Benz in the Orissa market.
He said, the company which has a comprehensive portfolio of products is offering all the internationally launched products within a period of 6 to 8 months in India. Describing Bhubaneswar as a potential market for Mercedes Benz cars, Singh said, development of roads in the form of National Highways will immensely benefit the automobile industry.
For making things easier for the customers the company has tied up with ICICI Lombard for finance.
Available in black and alabaster white, the Mercedes-Benz M class features state of art technology such as powerful new engines,seven speed automatic transmission and advanced safety features.
This off roader is packaged to provide its owner world class comfort, safety, luxury and best in class driving experience.
On the other hand the compact two seater roadster Benz-SKL boasts of exquisite design and has the top-of-the-line features which transforms the car into a coupe in just 20 seconds.
While M class has two variants namely ML 350 and ML 320 CDI the SLK class has two variants namely SLK 200K and SLK 350. The price of these models range from Rs.47.62 lakh (Rs 4.76 million) to Rs.66.68 lakh (Rs 6.66 million). OSL Hyundai at Cuttack is the authorised service centre.