Forex Woes Force July Price Hike
Mercedes-Benz India is set to implement its third price increase this July. According to Santosh Iyer, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, the significant depreciation of the Indian Rupee has become a larger concern than supply chain disruptions. While logistics issues are manageable due to buffer stocks, the weakening currency is forcing a review of pricing strategies.
Strong Demand for Luxury Cars Continues
Despite the upcoming price hike, Mercedes-Benz India reports sustained strong momentum in the luxury car segment. Iyer noted that buying sentiment remains largely intact, having recovered from a brief dip in late March linked to market volatility. The company observes continued good demand for its premium vehicles.
New Electric CLA Arrives
Adding to its portfolio, the company has launched the highly anticipated CLA battery electric vehicle (BEV) range. Introductory prices start at ₹55 lakh for the CLA 200 'Standard Range' and go up to ₹64 lakh for the CLA BEV 'Launch Edition'. The electric CLA has already received over 400 bookings, with a significant number of buyers being young consumers and first-time luxury car owners. The CLA 250+ 'Long Range' variant offers an impressive 792 km range on a full charge.
