Mercedes-Benz India bets big on performance cars, launches GLC 43 AMG Coupé at Rs 74.80 lakh

Marking the 50th anniversary of its iconic performance division AMG, which became a sub-part of the company in the year 1967, Mercedes-Benz today introduced the GLC 43 AMG Coupe at an all-India price-tag of Rs 74,80,000 ex-showroom. 

The AMG division, which was at a mere 8,000 global units in 1991 when Mercedes-Benz took the entire stake to make it a fully integrated entity, now stands tall with sales of over 100,000 units in 2016, showcasing the significant potential for the performance brand.

The crossover gets a coupé-styled derrière, with a rapidly sloping roof towards the rear, giving it an element of individuality over the regular GLC.

With the new offering, the company has now expanded its AMG portfolio in India to 10 cars. Mercedes-Benz views the business from this performance segment to only be growing in the coming years. However, one of the concerns, especially from India's perspective, is that CBUs have turned pricier by 8 percent, after the advent of GST, while there is a benefit on locally assembled vehicles.

According to Michael Jopp, vice-president, Sales & Marketing, Mercedes-Benz India, "The performance car market in India is rather nascent and is currently pegged at 400-500 units annually, and we hold a significant 50 percent share of that pie. The Indian luxury car market itself accounts for only around 1-2 percent of the total car business. There is a lot of unexplored potential and this market is set to grow."

The AMG range is aiding the company's operations in a two-fold manner. While the halo image it brings to the luxury marque is a given, there is increased profitability and business sustainability, for both the company and its dealer partners, which is an important strategic aspect. 

The company will continue to leverage the mind space provided by the AMG brand and reinforce it by opening up two more AMG Performance Centres, one each in Chennai and Kochi in CY17, to take the total tally to seven.

The AMG line-up is also helping the brand to be more youthful, with average customers being 7-8 years younger than those opting its regular cars and comprising mostly business and working professionals.

The AMG GLC 43 comes powered by a 3.0 V6 bi-turbo petrol motor, developing 367bhp of power and 530Nm of peak torque. The engine utilises the trademark 'NANOSLIDE' coating on the cylinder sides, a straight lift from the company's Formula 1 pedigree, ensuring reduced operational friction and offering slick acceleration. The power gets transmitted by a nine-speed auto transmission, sending power to all the wheels with Mercedes' 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system. 

Even with a swooping rear, the crossover still gets a dose of practicality with a 491-litre boot, going double the capacity when the rear seats are folded flat. 

The interior trim includes a COMAND touch-screen infotainment system, ambient lighting and a sunroof to name a few. On-board safety kit includes adaptive braking, hill start assist, attention assist and 7-airbags. 

Gunning for double-digit growth in FY2018 

Roland Folger, managing director and CEO, Mercedes-Benz India, is rather bullish about the company's performance and seems confident of a dominating fiscal. 

"We have closed the first half of 2017 with 7,171 units (+8.7%) and we are hopeful of finishing with double-digit growth this year. Although the dust hasn't yet settled over the GST, with states like Maharashtra offsetting the positive impact by bringing in a 2 percent road tax hike, it will still be a good catalyst to the sales of premium cars, once customers of luxury cars understand the overall impact of the new tax on their businesses and return into a buying mood and start spending. Hopefully, with no upcoming surprises down the line, we expect good growth in FY18," said Folger.