Mercedes-Benz has announced that it will raise the price of its entire range sold in the country from January onwards. The German automaker has attributed the hike to increase in the cost of inputs, inflation and unfavourable fluctuations in currency exchange rates. They have however, not specified the quantum of the hike.
Commenting on the hike, Eberhard Kern, MD and CEO, Mercedes-Benz India said “Significant level of cost escalations have been absorbed by us till now, but beyond a point we cannot continue to sustain such levels. We have made substantial investment in our India operations and are responsible for the growth of our employees and dealer partners. We aim for a sustainable profitable growth maintaining our premium appeal and hence, we are going to substantially increase the prices of all Mercedes-Benz cars from January 2013.”
Mercedes-Benz like many other car makers in the sub-continent imports components like engines, parts of the drivetrain and accessories. It is likely that this has put pressure on its profit margins forcing it to initiate the hike. Mercedes-Benz joins Audi, Toyota, Maruti Suzuki and Chevrolet who have all raised their prices for similar reasons.
