Mercedes-Benz India celebrates the success of its New Generation Cars: Launches the special A-Class and B-Class ‘Edition 1’

Mercedes-Benz India celebrates the success of its New Generation Cars: Launches the special A-Class and B-Class ‘Edition 1’

• Mercedes-Benz successfully pioneered in India the concept of ‘Compact Luxury’ with the all new A-Class and the ‘Luxury Tourer’ segment with the new B-Class
  
  
  
• Both the A-Class and B-Class sustained customer interest and play a key role in Mercedes-Benz India’s product strategy
• More than 2500 units of the New Generation Cars on Indian roads are contributing close to 20% of the Company’s sales volume

·         One out of every five Mercedes-Benz sold in India is either an A-Class or a B-Class

·         Edition 1 comes in with the diesel variants with Panoramic sunroof, electrically adjustable front passenger seat, reverse camera and comfort suspension

·         Only 200 units of A-Class and B-Class ‘Edition 1’ available for sale

Mumbai: Celebrating the overwhelming success of its New Generation Cars portfolio comprising the A-Class and B-Class in India, Mercedes-Benz India launched the exclusive  A-Class and B-Class ‘Edition 1’ for the Indian customers here today. Available in diesel variant only, the A-Class and B-Class ‘Edition 1’ features some key enhancements making the car even more appealing to its young audience. The A-Class and B-Class ‘Edition 1’ was launched by Boris Fitz, Vice President, Sales & Network Development, Mercedes-Benz India in Mumbai and is available for sale at all Mercedes-Benz dealerships across India.

Boris Fitz, Vice President, Sales & Network Development, Mercedes-Benz India commented, “The A-Class and B-Class New Generation Cars successfully captured the imagination of young Indians who were new to luxury motoring and delineated the changing preference of the youth in today’s social milieu, who increasingly prefer compact luxury as an integral part of their lifestyle. The launch of the ‘Edition 1’ is also an acknowledgement of the strategic significance of the A-Class and B-Class in Mercedes-Benz’s product strategy. We are confident that the New Generation Cars will continue its run of popularity and will introduce new customers to our brand.”

“The launch of the A-Class and B-Class in India was a very significant strategic decision that we took at Mercedes-Benz. Today, the success of these two products not only signify the aptness of our decision, but also underline the maturity of the emerging young customers who clearly prefer to own our ‘New Generation Cars” Boris Fitz further added.

With the launch of the new A-Class and B-Class, Mercedes-Benz India pioneered the Compact Luxury and Luxury Touring segments in India respectively and offered the young Indian customers two products that reflect their own lifestyle and a right product which they have been waiting for. While the A-Class is associated with being cool and trendy by young Indians primarily because of Mercedes-Benz’s fresh design dynamism, the new B-Class Luxury Tourer is designed for young families with an active lifestyle. While the new A-Class instantly became the ‘pulse of the new generation’, the new B-Class remained the preferred luxury tourer with its perfect blend of utility of a SUV, ride quality of a sedan and versatility of an MUV.  

A-Class ‘Edition 1’:

The A-Class ‘Edition 1’ features some key additions, making the car even more attractive than before. The A-Class ‘Edition 1’ offers the globally renowned freshness of Mercedes-Benz’s design dynamism. The car also raises the benchmark significantly for efficient driving dynamics for the Indian road conditions and is equipped with comfort suspension. The car has the ECO start/stop function as standard, which makes the A-Class ‘Edition 1’ particularly economical. The A-Class ‘Edition 1’ underlines that safety for Mercedes-Benz, is always the top priority. With 7 airbags, the ‘Edition 1’ features ESP (Electronic Stability Program), helping to minimize the loss of control of the car during emergency braking, ASR (Acceleration Skid Control), electric parking brake, ABS (Antilock Braking System), Brake Assist System, Attention Assist and Hill Start Assist. All these safety features in cohesion make the A-Class ‘Edition 1’ one of the safest cars on Indian roads. The A-Class ‘Edition 1’ comes with a panoramic sunroof that adds a sporty touch to the car. The A-Class ‘Edition 1’ also gets electrically adjustable front passenger seats enhancing convenience for the passenger. A reverse camera and a rear centre armrest are two of the several changes that have been incorporated in the A-Class ‘Edition 1’. A high gloss black exterior mirror housing and the Tremolite grey 17” 5-double spoke alloys in new design with high gloss black hub caps completes the dynamic exterior looks. The matt black decals with ‘Edition 1’ moniker adds to the overall exclusive appeal of the vehicle. A distinct matt aluminium ‘Edition 1’ badge is present on the headliner.

B-Class ‘Edition 1’:

The B-Class has been the first of Mercedes-Benz’s New Generation Cars to be launched in India and boasts of a sporty design. This is coupled with a 7G-DCT Dual Clutch Transmission with paddle shift in combination with a multi-function steering wheel, which is normally found in high end sports cars like the SLS AMG. Mercedes-Benz’s core values of safety and reliability have been infused into the B-Class as it comprises 7 airbags, a first for any car in this segment, also featuring Attention Assist, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) with Acceleration Skid Control (ASR), Hill Start Assist with HOLD function, Brake Assist System (BAS) and a tyre pressure loss warning indicator which makes it one of the safest Luxury Tourer. The B-Class ‘Edition 1’ now features a reverse camera and a rear centre armrest. The car now also features a panoramic sunroof which lends a sporty touch to its exterior. In addition, the car also adds convenience to the passenger with the electrically adjustable front passenger seat. The B-Class ‘Edition 1’ comes equipped with a Rear Seat Entertainment System which is a key addition to the car. The car for the first time also offers a sporty new colour, the Jupiter Red. To render a very dynamic look, the B-Class ‘Edition 1’ has high gloss black exterior mirror housings. External additions do not limit to these and include matt black decals with ‘Edition 1’ moniker and also high gloss black hub caps for the 16 inch 5- twin spoke light alloy wheels painted in matt black. A distinct matt aluminium ‘Edition 1’ badge is present on the headliner.

Power and Transmission: A-Class and B-Class ‘Edition 1’

The engines of A-Class and B-Class ‘Edition 1’ are mated with the 7G-DCT 7 speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and have 2.2 liter 4 cylinder diesel engines. The A-Class and B-Class ‘Edition 1’ have displacement of 2143 cc with a four cylinder engine which produces 250 Nm of torque @ 1400-2800 rpm. The rated outputs of both the cars are 80 kW @ 3200-4400 rpm and both the vehicles reach a top speed of 190 km/h. The B-Class has a 50 liter tank capacity and an impressive mileage of 19.0 Kmpl which provides the perfect touring capabilities to this fascinating vehicle. While the A-Class’ fuel efficiency ensures a 1000 km run with a tank full of diesel.

The A-Class and the B-Class ‘Edition 1’ are priced at Rs. 26.17 lakhs and Rs. 28.75, ex-showroom Mumbai and are available for sale across all Mercedes-Benz dealerships in India.

Tata Motors Launches 10 new Prima LX trucks for modern yet affordable trucking

Tata Motors Launches 10 new Prima LX trucks for modern yet affordable trucking

·         Covers gamut of segments - from haulage to construction

·         Extends the Tata Prima advantage with the launch of 10 new heavy duty trucks from the Prima LX range of Heavy Commercial Vehicles

·         Uncompromisingly built and designed as per world-class standards, with an ideal blend of technology and economy, with a combination of power, fuel efficiency, affordability, superior performance for quick turnaround time and hence Best in class TCO (Total Cost of Operation)

·         World-class cabins with advanced technologies for reduced noise, vibration levels and safety, along with provisions for optional fitments, to create a healthy and stimulating working environment for drivers

·         Backed by Tata Motors ‘Power of 5’ special product offerings

Chennai, May 24, 2014: Tata Motors’ today launched 10 new Heavy Commercial Vehicles from its Prima LX range, as a significant step towards ushering in a new era in the Indian trucking landscape. Launching six new heavy trucks in the haulage segment and four in the construction segment, the Prima LX range is a combination of economy and performance and sets the new benchmark in styling and features from Tata Motors medium & heavy commercial vehicle stable.

TATA Motors revolutionised the Indian trucking landscape with the launch of brand Prima in 2009. As a commitment towards intense product focus, a key pillar of our HORIZONEXT strategy, we have leveraged our deep customer insights to take the strengths of the Prima mainstream. The Prima LX range is one such instance of a world-class offering adapted for Indian conditions, redefining customer experience with enhanced technologies, built to global standards with an ideal blend of technology and economy. The new Prima LX trucks being launched today are geared to help customers meet a challenging market environment, allowing transporters to upgrade to a more modern trucking system.

Tata Motors launched six new models of the Prima LX in the cargo segment – Prima LX 4928.S SRT, Prima LX 4928.S HRT, Prima LX 4028.S SR, Prima LX 4028.S HR, Prima LX 2523.T and Prima LX 3123.T. In tippers, Tata Motors launched four new models – Prima LX 2523.K, Prima LX 2528.K, Prima LX 3123.K and Prima LX 3128.K, all of which have different combinations of drivelines and load bodies, deployed across all possible applications.

In an effort to bring ‘The way the world trucks’ to India, Tata Motors launched the Tata Prima platform in 2009. A combination of power, world-class performance, fuel efficiency, superior technology and safety, the Tata Prima has been built with technical inputs from across the world – an Italian cab design, engine technology from the USA and Europe, gearbox expertise from Germany, chassis frame know-how from Mexico, sheet metal dies from Japan and Korea, combined with Swedish precision on a robotic weld line, hence is also referred to as the 'World' truck. Tata Motors is expanding its range of Prima LX trucks to make the comfort, performance and reliability associated with the Prima brand available to a larger

customer base. The Prima LX range is a result of customer feedback combined with evolving Indian operating conditions and Tata Motors’ efforts to be One Step Ahead, combined with evolving Indian operating conditions, thereby enhancing the Prima portfolio and giving customers a wider choice in terms of a modern truck.

Each of the Prima trucks launched today, have been designed as per customer’s requirements, with best-in-class design, performance, cabin comfort, safety and best in class TCO. These trucks will be backed by Tata Motors “Power of 5” special offerings that will help customers maximise the features of these new trucks to the optimum and further our dominance in the Indian market .

Tata Motors Prima LX range of cargo trucks

The Prima LX 4928.S, for the first time, combines the power, driveability, reliability and performance of the Prima 49 Tonne prime mover with the total ownership costs of a conventional vehicle. The vehicle comes with the high performance 267 hp Cummins ISBe 6.7 engine, Tata G1150 9-Speed gearbox, world class Prima cabin with optional AC, mechanically suspended seats etc.. The Prima LX 4928.S is offered in both single reduction tandem axles (SRT) or hub reduction tandem axles (HRT) options. While the SRT variant is designed for performance sensitive customers wanting high turnaround times combined for rated load and highway applications, the HRT variant is designed to cater to customers with high torque requirements combined with the requirement for higher ground clearance.

The Prima LX 4028.S brings the power, performance and features, including the optional AC, of the Prima LX 4928.S to the 40 tonne prime mover segment, while optimizing the total ownership costs for this segment. This product also comes with the option of SR (single reduction) and HR (Hub reduction) axles. The SR option is meant for performance and time sensitive customers plying mostly on highway and rated load applications, whereas the HR option is ideal for customers requiring high wheel torque as well as higher ground clearance.

The Prima LX 2523.T and Prima LX 3123.T are the first products to extend the Prima DNA into the multi-axle trucks category. These vehicles are the first multi-axle trucks in India to get the world class Prima LX cabin and all its features including the 4-point suspension, mechanically suspended seats, optional AC and wide bunks. The Prima cabin being the widest cabin available on multi-axle trucks in India, will give the driver benchmark levels of visibility, safety and driving comfort.

The Prima LX 2523.T is a three axle truck with a GVW of 25 tonnes, and the Prima LX 3123.T is a four axle truck with a GVW of 31 tonnes with twin steerable axles. Both come with a high performance Cummins ISBe 5.9 common rail engine generating 230 hp. This engine is derived from India’s most popular CV engine, the TATA Cummins 6BT, sharing the platforms and most components. Thus combining the trust and reliability, with new age technology and performance.

Both models use Eaton’s ES-9306A DD gearboxes providing familiarity and reliability to the customers. The driveline upgrade also includes the heavy duty Tata RA 110 rear axle for high performance and reliability.

All these together make the Prima LX range of cargo trucks optimal for business profitability across a wide range of applications.

Tata Motors Prima LX range of tippers

The new Prima LX range has been designed, in line with the current industry requirement of high performance and fuel efficient tippers and is a result of Tata Motors continuous technological development & R&D efforts.

This range consists of tippers from 25 tonnes to 31 tonnes and power nodes from 230hp to 280hp, specially developed to extend the advantage of the Prima range to a much larger customer base, requiring optimal power-to-weight ratios and more fuel efficient tippers.

The Prima LX range of tippers are rugged and heavy duty, with an unmatched combination of power and economy.  Prima LX range is powered by a Cummins ISBe electronic engine with common rail injection system that delivers best in class fuel efficiency. Fitted with Tata G-1150 9-speed gearbox from Tata Motors, these vehicles are also coupled with heavy duty RA109 rear axle & a larger 430 mm diameter organic clutch for efficient and reliable power transmission. The complete driveline is configured to deliver best in class mileage.

This range also features engine diagnostic systems & monitoring of running parameters which help in efficient operations and enhanced vehicle uptime. The Prima LX world class cabin comes with a 4 point suspension for reduced noise and vibration levels, high level of safety and an optional AC that adds to the comfort of the driver.

Additionally all Tata Motors’ trucks are supported by the “Power of 5”, a set of innovative offerings, to enable Tata Motors to strengthen its customer support and engagement. These services being –

Tata Alert – Tata Alert is a highway assistance programme for medium and heavy commercial vehicles, available across all national highways. Through 'Tata Alert', drivers receive on-site breakdown assistance within 4 hours of dialing a toll-free helpline number (1800-209-7979). The 24x7 'Tata Alert' service ensures that a vehicle is put back on the road within 48 hours from the time restoration work begins. In case of major repairs and the vehicle carrying perishable goods, 'Tata Alert' provides load transfer assistance.

Tata FleetMan – In an effort to empower customers, to allow customers to monitor their fleet from the comfort of their office or homes, Tata Motors launched the Tata FleetMan fleet telematics service. Combining the power of modern-day technology like sms, emails and remote unit management, Tata FleetMan offers greater operation control, leading to faster processes and higher productivity for customers.

Triple Benefit Insurance – Tata Motors has launched a new premium 'Triple Benefit Insurance' across its range of M&HCV, ICV & LCV Trucks and Tippers, yet another first from Tata Motors in the Indian

commercial vehicle space. Designed specifically to minimize the financial impact to Tata Motors CV customers, the new premium 'Triple Benefit Insurance' maximises peace of mind, to the extent of full protection against loss of time and income, due to accidents. In partnership with Iffco-Tokio General Insurance Company, the 'Triple Benefit Insurance' is available under the "Standard Motor Insurance" policy with 3 specifically designed add-on covers - Depreciation waiver / Zero Depreciation Coverage, New Vehicle Replacement Coverage and Loss of Income/ Vehicle Hire Cost.

Tata Motors 4 year warranty – Tata Motors now offers an unbeatable warranty of 4 years on its entire range of medium & heavy trucks from 16 tonnes GVW and higher and has been extended from the earlier 25 tonnes and higher GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) range as of March 01, 2014. The 4-year warranty is applicable on the full range of tractor trailers, multi-axle trucks & tippers, covering the vehicle's driveline (engine, gear box & rear axle) as a standard offer. The 4-year warranty is supported by Tata Motors extensive dealership & service network of over 1,700 touch points with one present every 50 kms, on all major the highways of India..

Extended Service Interval – For any business it is important that a vehicle stays on the road for maximum time and doesn’t have to visit the service centre too often. Hence Tata Motors has extended service intervals on its range of M&HCV vehicles – on engine oil, gear oil and rear axle oil, enabling savings of Rs 30,000 over 4 years and delivering higher uptime.

In another pioneering effort in the Indian trucking space, Tata Motors recently announced the T1 PRIMA TRUCK RACING CHAMPIONSHIP, to bring truck racing to India. India’s first ever truck racing championship will be held under the aegis of the FIA (Federation Internationale de l'Automobile) and FMSCI (the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India) and will be held on March 23, 2014, at the internationally acclaimed Budh International Circuit, giving Indian audiences a grand spectacle of trucks competing against each other.  The T1 PRIMA TRUCK RACING CHAMPIONSHIP will feature 12 Tata PRIMA trucks, built for the purpose. These will be divided among six teams, with participation from experienced international drivers. The truck racing championship is being organised by Madras Motor Sports Club (MMSC), with safety and performance standards being followed as per the British Truck Racing Association (BTRA) guidelines.

Renault Duster Sales Touches the Magic One Lakh Figure Mark

Renault Duster Sales Touches the Magic One Lakh Figure Mark

·         In a short span of two years of launch Renault has crossed  1,00,000 Duster sales

·         Launches One Lakh limited edition at a special price of Rs. 9.99 lakh to celebrate the milestone

Chennai, 9,June, 2014: Renault India Pvt. Ltd., India’s fastest growing car company, today announced of reaching a milestone by clocking 1-lakh sales figure for its iconic product, the Renault Duster, thus making it, one of the best-selling cars worldwide for Renault.

Renault India is among the top five countries, which contributes significantly to the overall sales of Renault Duster world-wide. Renault India achieved this landmark sales figure in a short period of less than 2 years. Duster is currently marketed in more than 100 countries and recently produced One Million units of Dusters compact sports utility vehicle (SUV) in the past four years across globe.

The Duster has created a new segment of compact SUV’s in the market and is the passenger vehicle that has won the highest number of awards in India. Renault Duster was awarded ‘Indian Car of the year 2012’ (ICOTY). The Duster Adventure Edition launched at the Auto Expo 2014, has received unprecedented response.

On achieving this significant milestone Mr. Sumit Sawhney, Country CEO & M.D. Renault India said “Renault Duster has carved a niche for itself by creating a new segment and is the reference model within the segment. We at Renault are proud to reach this milestone of having crossed one lakh Duster sales and are happy that India is contributing significantly in the overall sales of Duster globally. We thank our customers for being the proud owners and helping for contributing Renault to reach this milestone in a record time.” 

Renault Duster was recognized by the J.D. Power Asia Pacific 2013 India Initial Quality Study^SM (IQS) for its outstanding quality among 15 SUVs in the extremely crowded segment last year.

To celebrate the occasion, Renault India has decided to come up with ‘Duster 1 Lakh Limited Edition, which will be available in all Renault showrooms from June 2014. The limited edition duster will be priced @ Rs.9.99 lakh and will be available in limited quantities only. 

To be in constant touch with the customers to understand their views Renault India launched a unique initiative Gang of Dusters. The Gang of Dusters is a special initiative by Renault to bring together Duster owners with a penchant for adrenaline-pumping adventures. Traversing across some of the most breathtaking landscapes in India's most desirable SUV, the Renault Duster The Gang of Dusters offers a great opportunity for like-minded enthusiasts to share an unmatched experience together.

As a vehicle, the Renault Duster has not only met the aspirations of customers but also set the benchmark on all parameters. Combining the comfort and sophistication of a sedan and the robust ruggedness of an SUV, the Renault Duster has set a new market reference in India. In every sense of the term, the Renault Duster re-defines Renault’s motto – “Drive the Change”.

Mercedes-Benz Announces Season II of the much awaited Young Star Driver programme

Mercedes-Benz Announces Season II of the much awaited Young Star Driver programme

§  Registrations now open for motorsports aspirants between 18-25 yrs.

§  Top 24 participants to battle in Buddh International Circuit on 8^th August 2014 for the coveted title.

§  Priority given to applicants who have some background and achievement in motorsports, though it is not mandatory

§  Winner participates in AMG Driving Academy BASIC and ADVANCED course in India, and also undergoes PRO-Training in Germany.

§  Meet and interact with MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula One team drivers - Lewis Hamilton or Nico Rosberg: Exposure to the highest level of motorsports action

§  Participants need to register at http://mercedesbenzperformancedrive.in/young-star-4.aspx and upload their CV

Pune: In its quest to find the best young driver of 2014, Mercedes-Benz India today announced the ‘Season II’ of its popular ‘Young Star Driver Program’ in India. Registrations for this scintillating racetrack event are now open and the finals will be hosted at the Buddh International Circuit Formula One race track on August 8^th 2014.

Eberhard Kern, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India commented on this unique initiative, “Motorsports is inseparable form Mercedes-Benz and with phenomenal success of the first season we are thrilled to announce the second season of our ‘Young Star Driver Programme’ in India. This is a unique opportunity for the budding motorsports talents across the country to showcase and improve their racing skills on international tracks with guidance from globally acclaimed trainers.”

“Motorsports is increasingly becoming popular in India and the ‘Mercedes-Benz Young Star Driver program aims to act as catalyst for youngsters in embarking into the world of professional motor racing and will inspire others who want to opt for a racing career and achieve international exposure.” Mr. Kern further added.

With ‘Mercedes-Benz Young Star Driver’, Mercedes-Benz India created an exclusive platform to spot, nurture and launch young talents who can become future race champions. The programme is open for racing aspirants between 18 years to 25 years, and is conducted via a nationwide evaluation process based on different criterions like race track training, racing acumen, racing aptitude and accomplishments, by Vicky Chandhok and his team. The jury members will shortlist 24 participants who will be adjudged against each other to qualify for the final 6 slots. The elimination rounds will be conducted on 7^th August 2014 and the grand finale on 8^th August 2014.

The winner of the ‘Mercedes-Benz Young Star Driver’ gets a dream come true opportunity of winning a coveted seat in the AMG Driving Academy PRO-Training in Germany; the runners-up get the popular AMG Driving Academy BASIC & ADVANCED course in India. The winner also gets to meet none other than F1 racing stars and Mercedes AMG PETRONAS Formula One team drivers, Lewis Hamilton or Nico Rosberg, in any of the F1 race this year.

Registration Details:

Participants need to visit the Mercedes-Benz Performance Drive website to register for Young Star Driver Program. Participants can also use their Facebook, Twitter or Google Plus account to login and upload their CV.

Registration Link: http://mercedesbenzperformancedrive.in/young-star-4.aspx

Young Star Driver Program-2013

‘Mercedes-Benz Young Star Driver’ received close to 3200 applications from 48 Indian cities and towns. Youngsters from metros like Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Pune applied for the coveted ‘Mercedes-Benz Young Star Driver’ title along with their counterparts from non-metro cities and smaller towns like Aurangabad, Jabalpur, Thrissur, Baroda, Patiala, Mysore, Kottayam, Kanpur, Udaipur, Cochin and more. The overwhelming response for this programme from across Indian geography reiterates Mercedes-Benz’s belief that India has rich potential racing talents that need to be spotted, nurtured and given the right exposure. ‘Mercedes-Benz Young Star Driver’ programme will be a major step for the winners in shaping their racing career.

Young Star Driver Program-2013 winners:

Position	Name	Place
1st	NIRANJAN B TODKARI	AURANGABAD
2nd	DILJITH T	THRISSUR
3rd	MEZAAN ANEES	BENGALURU

Mercedes-Benz India’s ‘Performance Drive’ initiatives have received very impressive response for each of its categories. Most of these initiatives like StarDrive Experience, AMG Driving Academy Experience, AMG Performance Tour, and Young Star Driver Program are sold out owing to encouraging response from customers and enthusiasts alike. 

GM India Introduces Chevrolet Complete Care Programme

GM India Introduces Chevrolet Complete Care Programme

Industry-First Initiative To Provide Unique Ownership Experience to Customers

Chennai: General Motors India today announced the launch of an industry first customer care initiative called “Chevrolet Complete Care” programme. The comprehensive customer care initiative ensures a unique ownership experience with assured low cost of maintenance for Chevrolet customers across India.

“Customer satisfaction is at the center of everything we do at GM India. More than just their vehicle, it’s the service experience which makes customers feel truly satisfied,” said Arvind Saxena, President & Managing Director of GM India. “With the introduction of ‘Chevrolet Complete Care’ programme, we are offering a never-before unique bouquet of complete-peace-of-mind service offerings to our customers which will include the industry-first Chevrolet Promise – assured low cost of maintenance, Exclusive Warranty packages, Chevrolet U-First Customer Centric Programs and Apps and a Round-the-clock 24x7 Roadside Assistance Program which is free for 3 years with all new car purchases,” he added. Roadside Assistance package is also available for existing customers at a nominal cost provided the vehicle is not more than 5 years old.

Elaborating on the unique Chevrolet Promise Mr. Saxena said, “The Chevrolet Promise is industry first and remains unique by virtue of our commitment to refund any excess periodic or scheduled maintenance cost at the end of 3 years or 45,000kms, whichever is earlier vis-à-vis the committed periodic maintenance cost to the customer at the time of sale of the car. The Chevrolet Promise is valid for Chevrolet Spark, Beat, Sail Hatchback, Sail Sedan and the Cruze.”

Customers will be offered best-in-class warranty on their Chevrolet vehicles under Extended Warranty. In addition to the standard best-in-class warranty of 1,00,000 kilometers/3 years, customers can extend the warranty of their vehicle by up to two more years or up till 150,000 kilometers at a nominal cost. Apart from the standard and extended warranty for the vehicle, customers will now also be offered warranty on Spare Parts and Accessories for the first year or 20,000 kilometers whichever is earlier.

Free round-the-clock 24/7 Roadside Assistance will be provided to Chevrolet customers in the event of vehicle breakdown or accident for a period of 3 years from the date of purchase of new cars. “The 24/7 Roadside Assistance also provides a host of unique support services such as vehicle towing, flat-tyre change, out of fuel assistance with limited free fuel, key lockout, battery jump-start and taxi benefit for the customers,” Mr. Saxena said.  “Furthermore, under the Chevrolet U-First programme, our women customers [Vehicle registered in the name of Women customers] will be provided free pick up and drop off of their Chevrolet cars for service, by the Chevrolet Authorised Workshops,” Mr. Saxena added.

GM India has also developed digital applications such as the Chevrolet Service Estimator Online tool available on the Chevrolet India website, which helps calculate periodic service costs, and the MyChevroletIndia mobile application, which helps locate & contact the nearest authorized Chevrolet service station. All these packages further improve the overall ownership experience of Chevrolet vehicles under the Chevrolet Complete Care programme.

Mercedes-Benz announces local manufacturing of the new S-Class 350 CDI in India, backed by high demand of the new S-Class

Mercedes-Benz announces local manufacturing of the new S-Class 350 CDI in India, backed by high demand of the new S-Class

Demonstrates Excellence in production facility by commissioning an unique ‘Roof Top Solar Plant’ for power generation contributing back to environment

·         Mercedes-Benz India commences the production of the all new S 350 CDI in its world class manufacturing facility in Chakan, Pune

·         Introduces for the first time body manufacturing for the S-Class in India

·         The S-Class 350 CDI will be priced at INR 1.07 Crores ex-showroom Pune

·         Installs roof top solar panels following the ‘Grid Tie System’ generating 150,000 units of power annually, which can power up to 400 households: –An eco-friendly initiative on World Environment Day

·         The new S-Class 350 CDI is launched in the Mercedes-Benz India campus which houses the Center of Excellence, which is equipped with a one-of-its-kind Helipad facility, and fascinating retail infrastructure

·         Mercedes-Benz India’s doubling of manufacturing capacity to 20,000 units annually, will make it the Largest Luxury Car Manufacturer in India

Pune, India: Mercedes-Benz India today commenced the local production of the New S-Class 350 CDI from its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Chakan, Pune. The new S-Class 350 CDI was launched in the company’s unique Centre of Excellence which is situated within the Mercedes-Benz India premises and is known for its fascinating retail infrastructure showcasing the dream cars, having a one-of-its-kind world class Helipad facility and also an adrenaline rushing off-road track. In line with the Year of Excellence strategy, the decision to commence the local production of the new S-Class 350 CDI will boost the company’s effort to cater to the overwhelming demand of the S-Class for the Indian customers and will offer a diesel engine in the new S-Class. The new S-Class remains one of the most coveted luxury saloons across the globe and the recent accolade of it’s winning the ‘World Luxury Car of the Year’ authenticates the S-Class’ claim of being the Best Car in the World.  Continuing the spirit of creating excellence in its operations, Mercedes-Benz India also strives to create excellence in conserving environment as part of its environmental sustainability mission. On the occasion of World Environment Day, Mercedes-Benz India took a significant step towards conservation of energy by installing a unique Roof Top based Solar Plant based on the ‘Grid Tie System’.  The Roof Top solar plant will be instrumental in generating 150,000 units of power annually. 

Eberhard Kern, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India commented “True to its legacy the new S-Class has emulated its global success in India as well and has been a phenomenal success. We are delighted to manufacture the new S-Class 350 CDI at our state-of-the-art production facility in Chakan, Pune, and offer the much awaited diesel option of the new S-Class for our discerning customers. Quality has all along been the strength of Mercedes-Benz India, and the new S-350 CDI production in India is set to take this success story even further. The installation of solar power plant also reiterates our commitment to achieve excellence in manufacturing by introducing environment friendly initiatives in India.”

Mr. Kern further added, “The team working on the production of the new S-Class 350 CDI comprises the most experienced colleagues at Mercedes-Benz India and they are extremely proud of their accomplishment in producing the S-Class over the years. Mercedes-Benz India for the first time is commencing the body manufacturing for the new S-Class and this is an important step towards local value addition for the new S-Class. We are confident that with the manufacturing of the new S-Class 350 CDI in India, we will be able to create a new benchmark and also meet the rising demand for the car in India.”

New S-Class 350 CDI:

Exteriors

The exteriors of the new S-Class 350 CDI are sure to grab one’s attention with its arched roofline with flowing contours, the dropping lines that descend elegantly from the front to rear and the large grille with four louvers clubbed with the three-dimensional design of the chrome trim and grille interior. The attractive design of the S-Class 350 CDI is further enhanced by the all LED high performance sharply contoured headlamps and the beautiful panoramic sunroof. The S-Class has a drag co-efficient of 0.24, one of the lowest for a luxury car of this caliber.

Interiors

The interiors of the S-Class 350 CDI are sure to wrap one in luxury, fit for a king - seven colour ambient lighting with a choice of five dimming options, two 31.2 cm high-resolution TFT screens and a multi-function two-spoke steering wheel that  offers all controls at one go. The dashboard is a combination of contemporary design featuring sleek horizontal lines, which along with the WOOD EUKALYPTUS trim imparts the plush touch.

The new S-Class 350 CDI offers power packed hot stone massage function with six different programs ranging from relaxing and stimulating to an energizing effect. Occupants can choose from two intensities –low and high and the rear seat backrest comes with a massage mat with 14 air chambers which can be inflated or deflated via fast responding solenoid valves, developing a wave-like massage effect. The massage function can be operated via remote with durations ranging from 12 – 15 minutes. The new S-Class also comes with a Chauffeur package, which creates up to 77mm more rear leg room on the front passenger side with electrically extending footrest and has easy adjustable luxury head restrains for driver and passenger.

Ride safety and other features

The new S-Class features an AIRMATIC suspension which ensures smooth ride quality. Active Park Assist automatically steers the vehicle into parking spaces, relieving the driver of steering and braking effort. ESP with eight airbags and PRE Safe assure driver and passenger safety, while the brake assist offers better control during emergency braking. The new S-Class also comes with Adaptive Brakes with HOLD function, ASR and Hill Start Assist.

The stylishly matched combination of high-quality features also meets the highest standards of comfort, quality and design. Keeping this in mind Mercedes–Benz will offer a unique chauffeur training program. This will involve comprehensive training for chauffeurs on the new S-Class technology and lifestyle features so that they can offer complete luxury driving experience to the new S-Class owners.

Power and transmission:

·         The new S 350 CDI features a 3 litre V6 engine mated to a 7G-TRONIC PLUS 7 speed automatic transmission. The new S-Class 350 CDI also features Direct Select Lever with Paddle Shifters for rapid gear shifts and smooth operations. The new S-Class 350 CDI produces 190 Kw of power @ 3600 rpm and 620 nm @ 1600-2400 rpm and accelerates from 0-100 in 6.8 seconds with a top speed of 250km/hr.

Price

The S-Class 350 CDI is priced at Rs. 1.07 crores ex-showroom Pune.

Unique Roof-Top Solar Plant

The Mercedes-Benz India administrative building is installed with a 100 kW rooftop solar power plant. This installation is spread across 12000 sq mt and will help in saving approximately 150,000 Kilo Watts hours annually- enough to power a small town with 400 households. The system is a unique blend of energy generation and synchronization and is based on Grid Tied Photo Voltaic system. A Grid Tied Electrical System, also called ‘Tied to grid’ or ‘Grid tie system’, is connected to the mains to feed surplus capacity back to the local mains of the electrical grid. Additionally, the installation can also work with alternative power sources like diesel generator to reduce the load on the generator. The batteries in the system acts as a buffer, replenishing the energy when the consumption is less than the generation and substituting diesel during grid failures. This results in reduced energy consumption during sunny days.

Piyush Arora, Senior Vice President, Operations, Mercedes-Benz India commented “Environmental sustainability is a top priority at Mercedes-Benz India, and our efforts here take into account the entire production process. Our measures focus on efficient energy utilization, climate protection, air pollution control, and the responsible utilization of raw materials and resources. Continuing this environment friendly operation further, I am happy to share that our factory will be partly powered by energy efficient solar panels using the Grid Tie System. This initiative is our own way of contributing to the cause of the environment protection by conserving energy which reduces the carbon footprints subsequently”.

Roof Top Solar Plant helps in protecting and preserving resources. Some of its salient benefits are:

•           A 1 KW PV system each month prevents 150lbs of coal from being mined

•           It prevents 300lbs of CO2 from entering the atmosphere

•           Saves 105 gallons of water from being consumed

•           Prevents toxic NO and SO2 from being released into the environment

Mercedes-Benz India Production Facility

The manufacturing plant in Chakan, Pune was completed within 13 months from the start of construction and is among the fastest green-field projects to be created. With an area of 100 acres of land and independent assembly facilities, the facility was created to address future expansion needs, underscoring the long-term growth plans of Mercedes-Benz in India. The current expansion plan which aims at doubling the capacity to 20,000 units annually will ensure Mercedes-Benz India is ‘future ready’. The plant manufactures the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, E-Class, S-Class sedans and the ML-Class and GL- Class SUVs. It is also flexible to accommodate additional production of other models from the Mercedes-Benz model range on the same assembly line, if required by future market demand.

Paint Shop

Mercedes-Benz India also operates its state of art and technologically advanced paint-shop located within its Chakan facility. The Paint Shop 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 stringent global standards of Daimler. The key highlights of Mercedes-Benz’s technologically superior paint shop include the flow of cars with latest communication systems for conveyors and tracking of each and every car at every stage with RFID systems. The control of all the equipments are through a central server and automated feedback loops for equipment ensures optimum settings according to the process and environmental conditions. The paint shop also boasts of sophisticated checking laboratories with the latest equipment. The automated selections of colors are enabled for robots and an online status of input and output offers flexibility and complete control in production sequencing.

The paint shop has an annual capacity of 20,000 units which is extendable to 40,000 units annually. The level of refinement, implementation of advanced technology and flexible processes positions this amongst the most sophisticated in India. With an approximate total area of 17000 square meters, the new paint shop of Mercedes-Benz India was created within a record time of 16 months and is operational since October 2012.

Center of Excellence:

Mercedes-Benz India ‘Center of Excellence’ is one-of-its-kind facility that boasts of a modern Helipad which is used for exclusive customers. The ‘Center of Excellence’ also houses the latest and globally acclaimed high-performance Mercedes-AMG range of vehicles and also other fascinating specialty cars. Customers can not just experience their favourite car, but also personalize it with their style by using ‘iConfigurator’. The ‘iConfigurator’ empowers customers to preview the entire range of Mercedes-Benz and AMG car portfolio digitally and experience the look and feel of the exterior paints, upholstery and alloy wheels. Further customers can personalize according to their choice of leather, color of stitches and pedals too. Customers can take a complete guided tour of the world-class production facility of Mercedes-Benz India enabling them a one of a kind opportunity to witness the making of the Three Pointed Star.

They can unleash the off-roader in them by an adrenaline pumping experience of driving Mercedes-Benz’s SUV range in company’s Off-road track located within the premises. The customers can experience the build quality and safety features while cruising smoothly through challenging terrains.

The Centre of Excellence boasts of a complete luxury atmosphere with segmented wall panels and integrated elements on the wall panels including brochures, latest accessories display and audiovisual display into wall panels unit.