Mercedes Benz car sales decline by 3.2% globally: Rise by 80% in India

Mercedes Benz results for the July 2012 have seen a dip in sales to the tune of 3.2%. Sales across Western Europe were particularly depressing but the company is not to be bogged down by such slight variations and have confirmed that sales records for the year will be on target. This is the first drop in volumes for this year as far as monthly sales is concerned, which according to the company is due to economic slowdown in markets of China and Germany, affecting sales of premium brands.

Sales in China dipped by 1% while sales in Germany, which is looked upon as a major luxury market too did not live upto expectations and sales fell by over 11%. During the first seven months of this year the company sales have however seen an increase of 5.5% with 750,251 vehicles sold in the period January to July 2012.

In Indian markets however it was a different story. Mercedes Benz India reported the highest ever monthly sales during the month of July 2012. The company sold 521 units in the country that is an 80.90% rise in sales over the same period in the previous year when the company sold only 288 units. For January-July period, Mercedes Benz India sales increased by 74.97 per cent to 2,922 units from 1,670 units in the same period last year, it added. Mercedes Benz India sells C-Class, E-Class and S-Class sedans in India along with M-Class and GL sports utility vehicles.

Mercedes Benz unveils new B Class and M Class in Malaysia: India luxury auto market awaits compact sports tourer launch

The latest 2nd generation Mercedes Benz B and M class models were unveiled in Malaysia. The new and improved Mercedes B-class model feature a turbocharged 4 cylinder petrol engine with direct injection (Di) technology as also an improved 7 speed gear dual clutch automatic transmission. The car also boasts of a variety of new technologies and intelligent systems which will help the driver when on the road. Apart from a refined engine, this car also has a spacious and comfortable interior unlike its predecessor.

Technologies in the B-class feature Brake Assist complete with acoustic and visual alerts to help the driver while driving. This technology has been designed to pin point obstacles and prepare the brake Assist for the right possible braking moment. Brake assist comes into play only when the driver uses the brake pedal. BlueDirect 4 cylinder petrol engine is a part and parcel of the new B200. It is coupled with a 7G dual clutch transmission feature. Another feature of the new M-Class models is that these cars variants consume 25% less fuel as compared to the previous ones.

A permanent all wheel drive ensures a safe and secure ride in the new M- Class variants. The BlueDirect technology helps conserve fuel and enhance the driving experience considerably. Assorted drive assist technologies and features provide a secure and well balanced setting for driving.The Mercedes-Benz B -Class has been priced at RM 220,888 while the M-Class is priced at RM 570,888. The Indian luxury auto market now awaits the Mercedes Benz B class spots tourer launch in Q3 of 2012.

Mercedes Benz increases production of A Class hatchback by 100,000 units

Increased demand for the new Mercedes Benz A Class compact premium hatchback is proving too much for the company to handle. Demand has escalated in the recent past with the company already recording 40,000 orders even before their A Class can be launched in important markets like North America. This is making it mandatory for the company to outsource some of it's A Class production activities to Valmet Automotive, a Finnish contract manufacturing firm to assist the company in production of 100,000 units of Mercedes Benz A Class starting from 2013 to 2016.

Mercedes Benz plants both in Rastatt, Germany and Kecskemét, Hungary are working at maximum capacity and it would be impossible to cope with the added demand even though the company has taken a decision to move into a three shift process at their Rastatt plant from coming fall. Signing up Valmet to assist in production will ensure that customers are assured of timely deliveries which will work to the company's favor.

Mercedes Benz A Class in the compact segment possesses engine ratings ranging from 80 kW to 155 kW. The vehicle is highly fuel efficient and low on auto emissions from 98g CO2/km. It possesses some of the best features in safety standards and is fitted with radar supported Collision Prevention Assist system. Prices in Germany commence from €23,978.50 (Rs 16.32 lacs or $29,068) for A 180 BlueEFFICIENCY.

Efficient and practical storage solutions offered by Mercedes Benz

Equipped to handle all sorts of storage on the move, Mercedes Benz has launched a new line of storage solution for their vehicles. These storage solutions are both efficient and practical and can handle every possible kind of equipment be it sports gear or other luggage facilities.

These storage solutions are ideally suited for attachingbikes, skis and snowboard and are available on all models in the Mercedes Benz range. Mercedes Benz B Class and A Class hatchback will be equipped with an Alutyle Quickfix basic roof carrier with quick grip mounting and lockable plastic caps.

Mercedes Benz M Class, GL and GLK crossovers too have the Easy Fix II carrier bars which can be assembled on top of the vehicle with the least amount of effort but will be practical, sturdy and fitting to carry all sorts of sports gear over long distances.

These fixtures are designed for all carrier systems and are genuine accessories with optimization of aerodynamics and noise levels. These fittings are crash tested and meet the highest standards of stability and durability.

Despite 10 percent sales growth in June 2012 Mercedes Benz India lags behind Audi and BMW

Mercedes Benz sales in India have increased by 10% for the month of June 2012, thanks to the new M Class which the company launched just a month ago in India at a price of Rs.68 lakhs and above as 100 units of this M Class were sold within days of launch while a total of 175 units were lapped up in the first month. Same month last year, Mercedes Benz India sold 565 luxurycars in India. For the first time in history, Audi India sold more cars than BMW India and in doing so pushed Mercedes Benz India to the third spot in the luxury car segment, despite the fact that Mercedes Benz were the leader in the segment up until 2009 in India.

Go to Customer – the new company strategy is paying off as the company taps Tier II markets in India. The company's SUV markets are growing at a record pace and the company saw a rise of 41% in this sector as compared to last year's figures. Mercedes Benz has 71 touchpoints in 31 cities across the country and has plans for rapid expansion to bring their cars closer to a wider range of customers.

The company has also launched its own driving academy and STARDRIVE which is also seeing good results. The company strategy in the Indian market is to offer value cars, top of the line after sales services and world class products which is what has gone a long way in garnering this sort of attention.

Audi sells more cars than BMW in India for the first time ever

Mercedes Benz, BMW and Audi, all three German luxury car makers are contending to become the largest luxury car maker in India. For the past three years, BMW has stayed on the top, Mercedes Benz on second and Audi on third. Recently Audi took the second spot and pushed Mercedes down to third. And now, Audi has beaten BMW for the first time ever in India. Sales of Audi during the month of June 2012 reached 759 units while sales of BMW stood at 750 units.

These record sales come at a time when the car industry is in a slow down mode just as recurring hike in interest rates, and petrol prices have punctured the very growth of the Indian car industry. Audi's strong line up of luxury cars in India is what has motivated buyers to opt for these new and innovative offerings while their strong dealership network and powerful after sales service has only cemented their position in the Indian auto sector.

Though Audi was not looking to be market leaders in 2012, the last month's sales figures have been encouraging and the company would like to continue in the same vein while they target leadership position in the coming year. According to Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), Audi sales in first three months of this year have jumped drastically. The company sold 1,908 units in this period as compared to 1,254 units in the span of January to March 2011, a jump of 52%.

Conversely sales of BMW suffered a setback recording a 12.16% decline in sales with only 2,088 units sold as compared to 2,377 units sold in the same period in the previous year. Mercedes Benz too witnessed a 24.41% drop in sales as they sold 1,257 units as against 1,663 units in the period April to June 2011.

Michael Perschke – Head of Audi India stated earlier that they are aiming to overtake BMW as market leaders in India by 2014. "It's the Audi effect, where customers are pulled by the strong brand that is reinforced by the largest line-up of luxury products offered in India. We did not target to be market leaders in 2012, but would like to build the momentum with new product offerings and stronger dealership network to sustain this newly-acclaimed feat in the long term. It's a pleasant surprise. We were targeting leadership only next year," he added.

Mercedes Benz January to June 2012 global luxury car sales of 652,924 units

Mercedes Benz Car Division witnesses highest volume sales in the history of the company. The company sales in Europe and US markets were positive to the extent that despite prevailing market conditions in Southern Europe the company achieved a sales growth of 6.9%. In US markets sales of passenger cars stood at 128,595 units, up 15.9% as compared to a year prior. These figures are what have made Mercedes Benz a premium brand with the highest number of new vehicle registrations in 2012.