Daimler plans to launch Maybach by October

DaimlerChrysler India plans to launch the Rs 5.25 crore Maybach by October. The company will be the first among the global automobile majors to foray into the small but fast-growing domestic luxury car market.

"We would be sending the Maybach for homologation next week to the Automotive Research Association of India. The entire process should take three months and the car should be launched by October," Suhas Kadlaskar, director (corporate affairs and finance), DaimlerChrysler India, said at the sidelines of a press conference. The meet was held to announce the completion of the road test of Mercedes-Benz cars using bio-diesel produced in India.

The company received enquiries from about 20 prospective customers for the luxury car, Kadlaskar said. The Maybach, which was first launched at the Detroit Motor Show in January 2003, competes with other luxury cars like Rolls-Royce and Bentley.

The company also plans to introduce the Chrysler range of passenger vehicles and the Actros brand of heavy trucks, Kadlaskar said.

A study is on in select cities to check the feasibility of launching the Chrysler range of passenger vehicles and a decision will be taken by December.

"If we launch the Chrysler vehicles, it will be through imports of completely-built units. It can be at the same dealerships but at separate showrooms to distinguish it from the Mercedes brand of vehicles," he added.

DaimlerChrysler India was also doing a similar study for the Actros brand of heavy trucks, its highest selling commercial vehicles. The Pune-based firm currently manufactures the Mercedes C-Class, E-Class and S-Class range of cars. It also sells the imported M-Class and SLK vehicles.

The company is expecting 20 per cent growth in car sales in 2004 by selling over 1,581 cars. During April-January 2004, it posted a 31 per cent rise at 643 vehicles.