5 new Mercs coming up! A-Class, B-Class Diesel, GL, CLA & GLA

A revitalized Mercedes Benz will unleash 5 new models in the Indian market.

Mercedes will launch the B Class Diesel, A Class and GL Class over the next one month. The GLA compact SUV and CLA 4 door coupe will hit the market at a later date.

The A Class hatchback will be available in Petrol and Diesel models from launch. Mercedes has no plans to launch a sub Rs 20 Lakh car in India, confirming that the A Class will be priced above that level.

Mercedes plans to have its entire compact range available in India by 2015. The luxury car maker expects that the compact luxury segment will bring in as much as 40 % of its volumes going forward (currently there is a 80/20 sales split between sedans and SUV's).

Local manufacture will be necessary to price these models competitively for the Indian market. Mercedes Benz expects that the luxury automobile segment will grow to 280,000 units by 2020 from the approximately 30,000 units today.

The company has already allocated Rs 850 crore for expansion of its Chakan plant. Production capacity is being increased to 20,000 units (a year) and is to be completed by the end of this year. The paint shop has already seen and expansion from 10,000 units a year to 20,000 units. India will be the first site outside the USA where the M Class (production already underway) and GL will be manufactured.