Merc E-Class Coupe @ Rs 54.83 lakh

Luxury car-maker Mercedes-Benz India unveiled on Wednesday its new Mercedes E-Class Coupe.

"We have launched our new E-Class Coupe, the most aerodynamic series production car in the world. It comes with an aggressive price tag of Rs 54.83-lakh (Rs 5.48 million) onwards ex-showroom in Mumbai," Mercedes-Benz India's managing director and CEO, Wilfried Aulbur, told reporters in Mumbai.

E-Class Coupe has state-of-the-art technology and high safety standards, which meets the needs of young individuals looking for a car that is athletic, striking and passionate, Aulbur said.

The new E-Class Coupe will be retailed through Mercedes-Benz dealerships across the country.

Mercedes-Benz India is also exploring possibilities of bringing its financial services arm to India.

"This would provide a boost to our commercial vehicles business in India, where the company sells high-end buses and trucks," Aulbur said.

The company is planning to launch more models and expand with showrooms and dealerships in Tier-2 and Tier-3 markets like Goa, Bhubaneshwar, Indore, Aurangabad and Surat, Aulbur said.

Mercedes-Benz India is looking at options to launch a new small car in its A Class in the Indian market to compete in the compact car segment in the country.

"There is a potential for a small car here. We have to see the psychology of the consumer and the market maturity will tell us when to launch the small car," Mercedes-Benz India's director of sales and marketing, Debashish Mitra, said.

Commenting on industry's growth, Mitra said the car industry grew 56 per cent in 2006-07, 76 per cent in 2007-08, 16 per cent in 2008-09.

Image: Wilfried Aulbur, managing director and CEO of Mercedes-Benz India, at the launch of E Class Coupe.