The Hindu Business Line : Mercedes Benz cuts prices

The measure follows the Government's announcement last month to cut peak Customs duty to 20 per cent from 25 per cent and the abolishment of the 4 per cent special additional duty.

"This makes the buying of the Mercedes-Benz range of cars now even more appealing for our customers in India," said Mr Hans-Michael Huber, CEO and Managing Director of DaimlerChrysler India.

The company's flagship model, the new S-Class; S-350 L petrol, will be now cheaper by around Rs 1.23 lakh to Rs 60,30,072. The price of the new E-Class of both the E-240 petrol and E-220 diesel, will now be cheaper by around Rs 86,000 to Rs 35,33,468 and Rs 34,32,684 respectively.

The C-Class, the C-200 K petrol and C-220 CDI diesel, is now cheaper by over Rs 70,000. Their new prices are Rs 22,89,186 and Rs 25,13,684.

Counterfeit parts seized: Meanwhile, manufacturers of counterfeit parts of Mercedes-Benz vehicles were raided in Delhi.

A press statement from DaimlerChrysler said these raids were coordinated with the Delhi Police in consonance with the local judiciary. The initiatives against counterfeit trade are part of a global campaign of DaimlerChrysler brand protection team.

The statement said each year, the national and state exchequers lose large revenues because of counterfeit trade. Proliferation of spurious auto parts has also resulted in erosion of the market base for original equipment manufacturers.

The raids also established that several unauthorised persons are manufacturing counterfeit Mercedes-Benz parts and selling them with falsified trademarks and batch-numbers. These counterfeit parts are distributed through illegal channels in the national and international markets.

Manufacturing costs in these units is low primarily because of use of sub-standard raw material inputs, use of low technology and tax evasion.

Selling such equipment under the tags of OEM brands enable the spurious parts manufacturers to offer hefty commissions to all tiers in the marketing level, the statement said.