India’s largest luxury car maker Mercedes-Benz today announced that it recorded sales of 2386 units in the January-March 2020 period. The company clocked this sales even as it continues to face strong market challenges including the current lock down due to COVID-19 pandemic.
Martin Schwenk, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India commented,
“We started 2020 on a high note and our existing as well as newly launched products continued to draw customer traction till the time sales came to a complete stop, due to the current COVID-19 pandemic situation. Saying that, these are difficult times for all of us and our main focus is to ensure the health and safety of our employees, customers, dealers, business partners and the community around us. At Mercedes-Benz we are doing our best to support all our stakeholders through varied initiatives and measures, so that all of us can emerge stronger than ever before, especially during this period of crisis.”
“Mercedes-Benz India has been the first automobile brand in India to launch a ‘Made in India, for India’ BS 6 vehicle in Jan-2018 and today we are only selling BS 6 products. However, the complete run out of the BS4 models led to the unavailability of some of our key volume models which we could not deliver to our customers, during this quarter.”
Mr. Schwenk added on transitioning to BS6 norms.
The much awaited Mercedes-Benz GLE SUV which was launched in Jan-2020, continues to be a popular SUV in its segment. Mercedes-Benz is also preparing for the market introduction of the ‘S-Class of SUVs’ the all-new GLS, which will be launched in India soon. The A-Class Limousine which was showcased at the Auto Expo in February 2020 continues its overwhelming popularity with the pre-bookings even before its India debut.
Online sales focus with dealer integration across markets:
In view of the current situation, Mercedes-Benz India has strengthen its online offering. As part of its online sales focus, Mercedes-Benz India is offering a customer journey experience, which is completely online. Therefore the company is collaborating closely with its retail partners to jointly address this challenging situation and to offer them advice and support in order to best serve Mercedes-Benz customers.
Customers can visit the online store www.shop.mercedes-benz.co.in to book their car with an innovative home delivery option available. Mercedes-Benz India expects a significant part of its total sales to be completely online by 2025.
Currently, the option is available for pre-owned cars only and it will soon be available for new Mercedes-Benz cars as well. Almost all dealers in the country, are already part of the portal and enabling customers in their online buying journey, including delivery and complete customer services support. In addition Mercedes-Benz customers can buy Merchandise and Accessories in the online store www.shop-mercedes-benz.co.in
Highlights
- Despite facing challenging market conditions, ongoing macro-economic headwinds and the current shut down, Mercedes-Benz India registered 2386 units (Jan-Mar 2019: 3885 units)
- In view of the current situation, Mercedes-Benz India has strengthen its online offering
- Increased focus on new modes of digital sales like the e-commerce venture launched in Oct-2019 | Mercedes-Benz India expects a significant part of its total sales to be completely online by 2025.
- As part of its online sales focus, Mercedes-Benz India is offering a customer journey experience, which is completely online.
- MB India is collaborating closely with its retail partners to jointly address this challenging situation | To offer them advice and support in order to best serve Mercedes-Benz customers.
- Mercedes-Benz India has been the first manufacturer to launch a ‘Made in India, for India’ BS6 vehicle (S-Class 350d) in Jan-2018 | The company has shifted to BS6 portfolio by Dec-2019
- Mercedes-Benz has shifted to BS 6 models way ahead of the deadline
- The comprehensive and early shift to BS6 also led to temporary unavailability of volume models like CLA, GLA and GLS.
- The newly launched GLE 300 d SUV continues to have a waiting period of 3 months
- The fascinating A-Class Limousine showcased at the Auto Expo 2020 continues to get very positive pre-launch customer response
- Mercedes-Benz temporarily suspended its operations as a precautionary measure since 21-March; this was followed by all dealerships’ closure since then
- Mercedes-Benz India and its dealer partners’ current priority is to focus on supporting its customers’ requirements wherever possible, working remotely
- Mercedes-Benz as part of its social responsibility is supporting the community by help setting-up a temporary hospital in Chakan, donating ventilators and also supporting BPL families
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