In an exclusive conversation with The Pioneer the new Managing Director of Mercedes-Benz India Roland S. Folger said that the Volkswagen emissions cheating scandal has had no impact on the ‘Made in Germany’ brand. Speaking at the sidelines of the launch of the company’s new GlE-Class Sports-Utility Vehicle which is a rebadged version of the Ml-Class but features several new features including updated interiors, infotainment and lights, Folger said that Mercedes’ sales of diesel vehicles has carried on strongly despite the recent controversy.
“The fact is that Volkswagen found an innovative solution to a problem, it is just that the solution was cheating. However, Mercedes-Benz uses the proper ‘uric acid’ injection system in our exhaust to comply with United States Environmental norms”, Folger pointed out. However, he did say that because Indian norms for emissions were far lower, Mercedes did not fit such advanced emission control systems in their vehicles, “as and when they become mandatory we will comply with the norms. Yes, they will add expense and complexity but we still believe there is a future for diesel technology.”
Commenting on the increased sales that the German carmaker has enjoyed this year with its aggressive launch schedule, Folger said that he expects 2016 to be an even better year. “The success of today is predicated on the hard work of two-three years ago. Also new models do not enjoy 100 per cent of their potential in the first year of launch, most of the volume of these cars will be contributed in 2016.”
Mercedes sold over 10,000 cars in the first nine months of 2015 and expects bumper sales during the festive season particularly of their SUV’s including the new GlE. “Sales of sedans are up 38 per cent year-on-year but sales of SUV’s are up over 70 per cent.”
Explaining the new name for the GlE he said that it was a corporate decision taken to reduce the complexity of the Mercedes SUV range. “Our SUV’s will be in line with our cars, the A,C,E and S so we will have the GlA, GlC, GlE and GlS”, Folger said. While he did not confirm anything, Mercedes is expected to launch the all-new GlC model within the next month.