Mercedes-Benz – A True Leader

Mercedes-Benz India expands its footprint in Haryana, inaugurates new dealership at Karnal

• First luxury car dealership in Karnal spread over 34,000 sq. ft. area; investment of over Rs. 30 million.
• Boasts of a display area showcasing the exciting range of Mercedes-Benz cars, boutique display showcase, and exclusive customer lounge creating a delightful customer experience.
• An integrated 3S State-of-art facility on GT Karnal Road which will boast of displaying a total of 11 cars with complete mechanical and Body & Paint workshop is under development.
• Densest network among all luxury car makers in India with 70 touch points in 31 cities.

Continuing its commitment to reach out to new customers, Mercedes-Benz India announced the inauguration of its first state-of-art dealership at Karnal, Haryana. Spread over 34,000 sq. ft., and built with an investment of Rs. 30 million, Berkeley Motors is Karnal’s first ever luxury car dealership primely located at the city’s automobile hub at 118-119 Km Stone, GT Road. The new dealership was inaugurated by Mr. Debashis Mitra, Director, Sales & Marketing, Mercedes-Benz India and Mr. Sanjay Dahuja, Managing Director, Berkeley Motors.

Mr. Debashis Mitra, Director, Sales & Marketing, Mercedes-Benz India remarked: “Inauguration of Berkeley Motors, the first ever dealership by a luxury car manufacturer at Karnal, is reaffirmation of our long standing association, deep commitment and thorough understanding of the Indian market. As part of our successful ‘Go to Customer’ strategy we are committed to reaching out to more customers and give them the Mercedes-Benz experience of Best or Nothing, which is core to our brand philosophy . I am confident that Berkeley Motors will offer the disconcerted customers of Karnal and nearby areas, the excitement associated with brand Mercedes-Benz through our fascinating product range and distinct world class service.”

Created over a span of two months, the provisional facility of Berkeley Motors, Karnal is spread over a total area of 34,000 sq. ft. embracing a well structured showroom and the full-fledged workshop. Strategically located in the automobile hub of the city at 118-119 Km Stone, GT Road, the new dealership has been established with an investment of Rs. 30 million (3 Crores). The new interim dealership has been designed and created to provide a fascinating ‘Mercedes-Benz experience’ for the customers. In addition to the interim facility, a State-of-art 3S facility on GT Karnal Road which will boast of displaying a total of 11 cars with complete mechanical and Body & Paint workshop is under progress.

 This interim facility at Berkeley Motors includes a Drive-in valet service, exclusive customer lounge combined with the display of a wide range of Mercedes-Benz cars. The accessories arenas, an engaging audio-visual presentation, a boutique collection are some of the elements that will introduce the customer to the world of Mercedes-Benz. Berkeley Motors has dedicated and hand-picked personnel to assist the customers in making the purchase of their dream Mercedes-Benz a hassle free one. Towards this, Berkeley Motors has a qualified & experienced team of committed personnel who will take care of the sales, after-sales and service requirements of the customers.

Equipped with highest quality Mercedes-Benz equipment and trained manpower, the workshop of Berkeley Motors has been built at par with the brand’s stringent universal benchmark. Berkeley Motors boasts of a workshop that can take care of customer service requirements and service 6 cars each day. The workshop can undertake general repairs and accident jobs, spares; round the clock after sales support and also have a separate driver’s lounge. Mr. Sanjeev Dahuja, Managing Director, Berkeley Motors commented on the inauguration: “I am extremely delighted to present the city’s first ever luxury car dealership to the customers of Karnal. To be associated with the Three Pointed Star is a matter of immense prestige and we are delighted at this opportunity. At Berkeley Motors we are inspired by Mercedes-Benz’s brand philosophy of ‘Best or Nothing’ and we will ensure the customers of Karnal and nearby cities are offered Mercedes-Benz’s globally famed vehicle ownership experience enabled through its fascinating and emotion evoking product range and benchmarking service standards.”

With the inauguration of Berkeley Motors, the first ever luxury car dealership at Karnal, Mercedes-Benz remains the leading luxury car brand with the densest sales and services network penetration in India with 70 touch points spread over 31 Indian cities.

Encouraged by its novel and benchmarking ‘Go to Customer’ initiatives like inauguration of the Star Lounge, offering the Star Lease, organizing Star Drive, opening of Trendz concept stores, inauguration of AMG Driving Academy at BIC and rolling-out of Star Showcase across the country; Mercedes-Benz remains confident of its strong growth and further expanding its footprint in the dynamic Indian market.

The Stars Lead the way

When it comes to the pinnacle of automotive engineering, you only need to turn to the Stars to find your way. With last weekend’s win of the Mercedes-Benz GP team at Shanghai China, the brand has once again reiterated this fact.

Mercedes-Benz has for long been a true leader in the automotive space. Not just the inventors of the automobile, the very genes of innovation run through our veins. The company has established itself in every aspect of automotive engineering, including performance, safety and luxury. Over 80% of all automotive patents are owned by Mercedes-Benz. We help define the future of mobility with innovations such as BLUE EFFICIENCY.  Our innovations have moved beyond occupants and keep in mind the safety of pedestrians as well with innovations like the ACTIVE SAFETY bonnet.  

We have pioneered several initiatives in the Indian market, creating benchmarks for other luxury automotive brands. We established the AMG Driving Academy in India, an event where people could learn how to handle top –of-the-line vehicles with the help of experts. The MercedesTrophy redefines luxury golfing in India for professionals and enthusiasts alike. Our StarDrive initiative is the first in its segments and offers a unique test-driving experience that tests the mettle of our Stars. We even offer more car, per Star, with our unique Star Lease program that allows you to lease a Mercedes-Benz car without any hassle of maintenance.

The recent Formula One win is another stellar example of a new beginning and how we will lead the way in the near future.

World Green Car Award 2012 Goes To Mercedes-Benz

At the annual World Green Car awards corresponding with the New York International Auto Show, Mercedes garnered for the second time this award which distinguishes the world’s most efficient cars. Initially won in 2007 by the carmaker’s E 320 BlueTEC, this year’s award was garnered by the Mercedes-Benz S 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY. It overcame 23 other entries such as the Ford Focus Electric and the Peugeot 3008 Hybrid.

The S 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY is the first four-cylinder engine used in the S-Class, with the diesel unit triumphing fuel consumption levels of just 5.7 litres per 100 kilometers. Says Prof. Dr. Thomas Weber, Board of Management, responsible for Group Research & Mercedes-Benz Cars Development, “The highly efficient gasoline and diesel engines in the S-Class show that our customers can drive a luxury vehicle with a clear conscience. The S250 CDI is the most remarkable example: with a fuel consumption of only 5, 7 l per 100 km, the S250 CDI is the most fuel-efficient luxury sedan in the world.”

To be entitled for the 2012 World Green Car award, a vehicle had to be all-new, or noticeably revised, in production, and announced for sale or lease to the public in quantities of at least 10 in at least one major market during the period beginning Jan. 1, 2011 and ending May 30, 2012. Tailpipe emissions, fuel consumption, and use of a major advanced power plant technology (beyond engine componentry), aimed precisely at increasing the vehicle's environmental responsibility, were all taken into consideration.

Three green experts were selected by the World Car Awards Steering Committee to expansively review all documentation and specs linked with each vehicle contender. They were asked to create a short-list of qualifiers for review by the 64 jurors in their second round of voting in February. Their ballots were then tabulated by the international accounting firm KPMG, according to the World Car Awards.

According to the experts, “This is the first 4-cylinder S-Class in the 60-year history of the legendary model. Powered by a 204 hp diesel turbo producing 500Nm, this S-Class develops generous power from the world’s cleanest diesel, while the integration of a start-stop system means that this car produces an exceptional 149g/km of CO2.”

Nico Rosberg rides home to a commanding win at the UBS Chinese GP

Nico Rosberg took a commanding victory at an action packed Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai yesterday. Starting from pole position, he took the chequered flag with a comfortable 20 second margin over his closest rival, achieving his first win in Formula One.

Nico ran a two-stop option/prime/prime strategy to win by 20.626 seconds over Jenson Button´s McLaren-Mercedes. Teammate Michael was forced to retire on lap 13 after his right front wheel was not properly attached at his first pit stop. This was Nico´s 111th Formula One start, and comes 111 years after Mercedes´ first win at the 1901 Nice Speed Weeks.

What makes this particular win special is that it’s the first win for a works Silver Arrow since the 1955 Italian Grand Prix, on 11 September in Monza - 25,671 days ago! The victory is the tenth in Formula One for a works Silver Arrow, and brings the total number of Mercedes-Benz F1 victories to 90. Mercedes-Benz powered cars filled the podium for the second time in three years at the Chinese Grand Prix.

Nico Rosberg

“This is a very special moment for me. The whole weekend went perfectly. My first pole position, now my first win in Formula One - it really is fantastic. But it´s not only this; it´s the first win for the new Silver Arrow and for this great team. That is really special for me. Thanks to everybody in the team, here in China and in our factories in Brackley and Brixworth. It makes me very proud that we have improved the car so quickly. I will never forget this race, and the last 20 laps felt as long as if I was racing in the Le Mans 24 Hours! But then crossing the line was so intense. We will enjoy this success, but our feet are still on the ground. We are still not where we want to be, we are still working hard to understand the car and the tyres in all conditions, and we will keep pushing to improve our race pace even further. We will see how that works out in Bahrain.”

Michael Schumacher

“First of all, congratulations to the whole team, to Mercedes-Benz and of course to Nico who achieved a perfect victory from start to finish. He did a great job today and yesterday, and I am happy for him. As for my race, my right front tyre got loose following my first pit stop. As I did not want to cause any bigger damage to the car, I stopped on the grass. I felt there was something wrong immediately and especially in turn three, when I put pressure on the right side of the car. Up until then I had a controlled race I´d say, keeping the others behind me and the tyres together. Of course, this was an unfortunate ending to what could have been a nice race, and I feel sorry for the guys, who always work so hard and give their best. But we all know that´s part of the game.”

Ross Brawn

“This is a truly special and historic day. I am so delighted for Nico, he has deserved to take his first victory several times, and has now done so by driving a perfectly judged race from pole position. I am excited to see how he develops now he has that win under his belt. Commiserations to Michael, who was driving a controlled race in second position, but was forced to retire after his pit stop. However, he is the first man to say that we win and lose as a team, and his performances this year prove that he is equally capable of climbing to the top step of the podium. 

Heartfelt congratulations to all our team here at the track, in Brackley and in Brixworth; they have put tremendous effort into this project, and we are now starting to see the rewards for their dedication and expertise. Finally, I must thank all our colleagues at Mercedes-Benz in Stuttgart and around the world - their support has been unstinting, and we are proud to deliver the first victory for a works Silver Arrow car in 57 years. I was just one year old when Juan Manuel Fangio won in Monza in 1955 - but this victory is something I will remember, and savour, for a very long time indeed!”

Norbert Haug

“What a sensational victory from Nico and our team! It was unbelievable how Nico drove and controlled the race from lap one to 56. A big thank you to everybody in Brackley, Brixworth, Stuttgart, Fellbach, Untertürkheim and Möhringen for all their relentless work and their belief in our capabilities and that we can make it. Nico´s performance was superb today, the team executed a great two-stop strategy, and Nico and his car managed the tyres very well. It was a shame for Michael, who dropped out after his first pit stop because of a problem with the right front wheel; he missed out on a possible very good podium result. It was particularly sweet to see Jenson and Lewis on the podium - Mercedes Power to the power of three!”