Mercedes-Benz on Thursday launched the diesel variant of its E 350 CDI ‘Blue Efficiency’ V6 car, claimed to consume 13 per cent less fuel than its earlier model in this series. Emission reduction is another feature of this car estimated to cost Rs. 45 lakh.
Mercedes-Benz India CEO Wilfried Aulbur told reporters here that the petrol version of this car launched 45 days ago had also sold 130 units and the diesel variant could grow volumes further.
Mercedes entered the Indian market in 1995.
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The company sold 3,625 cars of all series last year. It has a research and development centre here.
The ED 350 ‘Blue Efficiency’ with a fuel injection system delivering torque of 540Nm, increasing fuel efficiency, redesigned twin headlamps, an arrow shaped bonnet with louvers and the hallmark Parktronics system providing visual and audio support while parking the car in tight spaces.
The E 350 CDI will be assembled at the company’s Pune plant set up earlier this year with Rs. 250 crore investment.
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Mercdes-Benz is setting up a plant in Chennai, as part of its Rs. 4,500-crore investment plans to produce vehicles for the Indian market and for exports. The Chennai plant will produce commercial vehicles. Local assembly of the Actros 4840K heavy-end trucks, the Actros 4841 trucks for mining and infrastructure operations and bus chassis are likely to be stepped up once the Chennai plant begins operations.