Mercedes-Benz on number-one spot again, passes BMW India in sales
Mercedes-Benz India has overtaken rival BMW by posting higher sales in the January-April 2010 period. According to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), Mercedes sold 1,644 units in the first four months of 2010, compared to BMW’s 1,621 units. In calendar-year 2009, BMW had for the first time dethroned Mercedes as the leading luxury-car company in India, by selling 3,619 units as against the latter’s 3,247 units. However, Mercedes-Benz CEO Wilfried Aulbur had said that the company was not worried as its lower sales were attributable to the limited availability of its high-selling model, the E-Class, whose demand exceeded supply by over 300 units.
Both companies have well-formulated expansion plans for the current year, and will be launching several new variants to increase their sales numbers. Even while Mercedes has posted higher sales than BMW’s in the past four months, except March, the latter is confident of catching up sometime soon. A BMW India spokesperson said that the company would begin delivering the new 5-Series only in July, which is when its retail sales numbers will pick up. The company is sure of crossing the 4,000 sales mark this year, he added.