In an interesting phase where the luxury car market is witnessing a strong growth, German auto giant Mercedes-Benz has decided to bring in a more experienced leader to take charge of the company as it competes with its other German counterparts Audi and BMW to take control of the top spot. Ammar Alvi has more.
As Mercedes-Benz prepares to take a giant leap by bringing its entry level car A-Class and upgrade its portfolio to take on its competition, it has decided to bring in more experience hands to steer the company into the future. Eberhard Kern now takes over from Peter Honegg as the Managing Director and CEO of Mercedes-Benz India.
According to Matthias Lührs, Chairman of Board of Directors, Mercedes-Benz India, “Heartiest welcome to Eberhard Kern as the new Managing Director and CEO of Mercedes-Benz India. Kern is a veteran at Daimler, having spent three decades with the company. We have high expectations from the Indian market and are bullish about our presence in this country.”
Eberhard Kern who takes over with immediate effect announced price revision of all its models effective January 2013 due to increase in input costs and unfavourable exchange rates with inflation. However he is hoping to take the organisation into the future ensuring substantial growth. Kern says: “I inherit a very strong organisation in this market where Mercedes-Benz is held in highest esteem. Our production facility is one of the best in the Mercedes-Benz world; our product line-up is exciting and holds tremendous potential. The New Generation Cars from the Mercedes stable will, in my opinion, play a pivotal role and our wide network of dealers are poised to support the growth.”
Mercedes-Benz India carries an investment of `850 crore in its production facility in Chakan, Pune, apart from an investment of Rs 480 crore made by its dealer partners in its network. Mercedes-Benz India currently boasts of 72 dealership touchpoints across 31 cities. The company operates two shifts capable of producing 10,000 units annually and locally produces the C-Class, E-Class, S-Class sedans and started the local production of M-Class from October.