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DaimlerChrysler mulls over second car plant in India
New plant to churn out new passenger car models.
BY OUR AUTO CORRESPONDENT
November 25, 2006
India is turning out to be a preferred destination not just for the global tourist. International car manufacturers too are heading for the country to set up their manufacturing base. The spate of new car plants continues right up to the luxury segment as well.
The latest in the series is the announcement of DaimlerChrysler that it is setting up a greenfield plant in India. Daimler’s next-generation E-Class Mercedes Benz, the E-350 Avant Garde, was unveiled on Friday.
According to company officials, a second plant is to come up in India. However, the location and the capacity are stil being mulled over. With the new greenfield capacity, Daimler would be looking at introducing new models in the passenger car segment.
With an eye on the commercial vehicle segment, Daimler had unveiled its Actros truck. However, things haven’t been taken forward beyond the introductory product.
The current plant located at Pune rolls out close to 2000 cars every year. The new E-Class comes in two designs and equipment lines, Classic and Elegance, said reports.
The E-Class is available in petrol and diesel options. The E280 petrol is priced at around Rs 45 lakh, while the E280 CDI-diesel is priced around Rs 44 lakh. Last year, Daimler Chrysler sold over 825 units of the E-class.
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