Mercedes-Benz India has rolled out its first locally manufactured M-Class luxury SUV from its facility in Chakan, Pune. The company has also declared the start of operations of its paint shop at the same location.
The new M-Class 250CDI is priced at Rs.45.64 lakh (ex-showroom Pune) and Rs.46.50 lakh (ex showroom Delhi). It is the first M-Class-ever to be offered from a local production facility outside Mercedes-Benz’s SUV plant in Tuscaloosa, U.S.
India became the ‘first’ market in the world to enjoy this elite status and further highlighted Daimler AG’s focus and commitment on the Indian market, the company said. Over 200 SUVs have been booked. Soon, the company will locally manufacture the M-Class 350 variant which is now sold in India for over Rs.56 lakh.
Till date, 2,000 units of the M-Class have been sold in the Indian market as completely built units (CBU). About 600 units have been sold in January-December 2011 and an equal number in the first nine months of 2012.
“We are looking for a big presence in India and are fully geared up for the future,” said Ralf Mungenast, Director, International Production Services, Production Planning MB Passenger cars.
The 2.2 litre W166 engine powers the M-Class 250CDI and boasts a maximum torque of 500 Nm at 1600-1800 rpm and a rated output of 151.5 kW at 4200 rpm.
The M-Class accelerates from 0-100 km/h in a mere 9 seconds.
Paint shop
The paint shop, set up with an investment of Rs.200 crore, is capable of water-based painting using highly sophisticated and environment-friendly water-based painting technology. The paint shop of Mercedes-Benz India is fully automated and maintains identical painting standards in line with the stringent global standards of Daimler.
