Mercedes Benz to expand R&D headcount in India

NEW DELHI: Luxury car maker Mercedes-Benz India plans to revamp research and development (R&D) facility in India by increasing headcount to 1,000 engineers from 200 in its Bangalore facility, a senior company executive said.

Mercedes-Benz India MD and CEO Wilfried Aulbur told mediapersons on Monday, ���Eventually, it will be one of the largest R&D facility of Mercedes outside Germany and will cater to the technical needs of our company.���

Mercedes has slipped to the second slot in the luxury car market. BMW raced past Mercedes in the past two months selling 541 cars.

Mercedes ruled this segment for 12 years sold 346 cars in the January-February period. Mercedes
also plans to invest Rs 150 crore together with its partners and dealers to expand the distribution network in the country.

���We will launch new cars in the market. We have bought land at various locations across the country for setting up showrooms,��� Mr Aulbur said.The company has also launched its new SUV M-Class at Rs 50-55 lakh in Delhi, which will be available in both petrol and diesel variants.