Luxury car maker Mercedes Benz is strengthening its compact car segment on the Indian market and has launched the diesel variant of its B Class hatchback. The B Class diesel model has been priced at Rs. 22.60 lakh (ex showroom Mumbai).
The company launched B Class petrol version nine months ago, in November 2012 and sold 500 units. With the latest launch of the diesel variant, the company expects that the diesel variant will outsell petrol one in the upcoming months. Along with that, Mercedes is also expecting a double-digit growth in 2013.
MD and CEO of Mercedes Benz India, Eberhard Kern said that despite the changing fuel price equation between petrol and diesel, customers are still demanding diesel cars. Kern went on to say, “In our portfolio where diesel variant is available, it constitutes 80% of our total sales with petrol making up for 20% with the B Class too we are expecting the same.?
The MD also revealed that the response for the B Class petrol variant has been encouraging and that they are confident that the new B Class diesel will add to the demand of the car with new improved efficient engine which has stylish characteristics, along with unique touring capabilities.
