Mercedes

Published on 03/05/2013

Mercedes sees 10% bump Sales of premium cars are expected to remain brisk this year with 17,000 vehicles sold, up from 13,000 in 2012.

One of the three new CLA-Class models launched yesterday. PORNPROM SATRABHAYA

Alexander Paufler, the president and chief executive of Mercedes-Benz (Thailand), said Thailand's overall premium car market still has potential, given rising demand from middle and high-income customers.

Premium cars are generally defined as models starting from 1.8 million baht.

Mercedes-Benz targets 10% sales growth this year from 6,274 units sold in 2012.

For the first quarter, the German auto firm sold 1,770 vehicles, up from 1,183 units in the same period last year.

Mr Paufler said the company plans to introduce five new models this year.

Three new E-Class models, which run on both diesel or as a hybrid, start from 3.49 to 4.49 million baht. They were introduced at the recent Bangkok International Motor Show.

Yesterday it launched three new CLA-Class models, with a price tag of 2.64 million baht.

Mercedes-Benz (Thailand) has 15 models available in the Thai market.

Earlier, it said it would spend 200 million baht this year to raise production capacity in Thailand and 1 billion to add five more dealerships and service centres nationwide.

The investment will raise production capacity at its Thonburi Assembly Co plant in Samut Prakan by another 2,000 to 3,000 units from the present 16,000.