Merc gets costlier...!

Mercedes-Benz India today announced an upwards revision of the price of its entire model range effective from 1st September, 2013. The quantum of price revision will be in the range of 2.5% to 4.5%. Exchange rate effects, higher import duties and rising input costs coupled with a host of other unfavorable factors like higher interest rates has been impacting the bottomlines.

Eberhard Kern, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India commented, “The rising input costs along with higher import duties have been creating significant pressure on our bottomlines for quite some time now. The constant weakening of the currency and the increase in other relevant taxes further impacted the business, adversely. We have been absorbing a significant portion of these impacts till now, but to run a sustained and profitable business in the long run, revising the prices upwards was inevitable. However, despite the price hike, the attractive financial solutions from Mercedes-Benz Financial Services like ‘Flexinomics’, ‘STAR Agility’ and ‘STAR Supersonic’ loan approvals etc. are all tailor made for our customers. These solutions will provide benchmarking value proposition enabling a hassle free purchase, while our after-sales programmes like Star Care, Star Ease and Road Side Assistance, will enhance the customer’s overall ownership experience.”

With the latest price revision: The new A 180 CDI luxury compact will now be priced at Rs. 22.05 lakhs, an increase of 4%. The B 180 CDI Luxury Tourer will now be pricier by 4% at Rs. Rs. 23.50 lakhs. The C-Class 200 CGI Avantgarde luxury sedan will now cost Rs. 32.25 lakhs an increase of 2.5%. The newly launched E-Class 200 CGI Avantgarde India’s most popular luxury saloon, will now be available at Rs. 42.16 lakhs, up by 3.5%. The immensely popular ML-Class 250 CDI luxury SUV will now be priced at 50.98 lakhs up by 4%. (All prices are ex-showroom Mumbai).
Financial solutions: The Company’s ‘Flexinomics’ scheme gives tailor made financial solutions, while ‘STAR Supersonic’ scheme also provide extremely fast loan approval in merely 30 minutes. STAR Agility is yet another unique and innovative product from Mercedes-Benz Financial Services which enhances the flexibility and affordability of owning a Mercedes-Benz. Different aspects of the vehicle ownership starting from finance-leasing-insurance to roadside assistance, cost of service and repairs, and even residual value has been optimized under ‘Flexinomics’.

Service packages: Mercedes-Benz India also offers highly affordable service packages and Extended Warranty Programmes which are most competitive. Under STAR CARE programme warrantable repairs up to 3 years is without any mileage limitations, as standard. Star Care Plus also offers 4th year extended warranty which enhances resale value. The STAR EASE covers essential jobs related to periodic service along with coverage for brake pads, brake discs, wiper blades, wheel alignment and balancing for contracted period. Mercedes-Benz India is the only luxury car maker to offer Road Side Assistance (RSA) Packages as a standard offering for 3 years and can be purchased for 4th and 5th year individually.

All these customized offerings from Mercedes-Benz will ensure that the valued customers derives maximum value out of their car with a clear understanding that the cost of ownership over the lifecycle of their Mercedes-Benz is second to none in the comparative domain.