For Mercedes Benz, Diesel Engines Are Here To Stay

For Mercedes-Benz, diesel engines are here to stay and walking away from vehicles powered by the fossil fuel doesn't make sense.

“Diesel engines offer particulate matter at levels of petrol engines, besides being 20-25 percent more efficient in terms of fuel consumption,” Martin Schwenk, chief executive officer of the German luxury carmaker, told BloombergQuint on the sidelines of the launch its new sports utility vehicle, the GLE. The GLE has a starting price of Rs 73.7 lakh and is compliant with the BS-VI emissions norms.

Schwenk said Mercedes-Benz's engines are future-proof, adding that the big theme going ahead for the company will be “sustainable luxury”. The company said it will launch its electric cars in India in April at “competitive pricing”.

That comes as Daimler AG's main brand is introducing a range of hybrid models, ranging from compacts to full-size vehicles, globally on the back of challenges such as new emissions rules and changing technology. Competition from entrenched players like Tesla Inc. is hampering the foray of traditional carmakers into making battery-powered vehicles.

Mercedes-Benz, also India's largest luxury carmaker, plans to launch at least 10 cars this year—priced between Rs 40 lakh and Rs 80 lakh—when the domestic auto market is going through its worst slowdown in over two decades.

“We're very bullish on the future development of the Indian market, and despite some ripples in 2019, we will be able to grow again from 2020,” Schwenk said.

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