Is the Mercedes losing its shine?

Merc is no longer the only status symbol
I drive a Porsche 911 Carrera. It’s a yellow colour two-seater sports car which completely suits my personality as it is a very young and chic car. It definitely makes heads turn as it is extremely sporty. I have a Mercedes C Class car too.

I feel the Mercedes is a more serious car which is why I drive in it only to work but the rest of the time it’s the Porsche for me when I want to go out to meet friends, go partying or just have a good time. Both the cars reflect the status but the two reflect a different image of the person sitting in it.

The Mercedes has not lost its status symbol but it is no longer the ‘only’ status symbol because now you have the Rolls Royce, Jaguar and many other bigger brands to take that crown. I also love my Porsche any day over the Mercedes.

Shyreena Agarwal, director, Brahma Corp

Now, it is more about performance of the car
Audi was launched in Pune two and half years ago. Even though other big luxury car brands were already there in Pune, we have been able to become a frontrunner in this short span of time.  In the past two quarters, we have been leading amongst the luxurious high-end cars in various aspects.

We have recently launched the A8 which costs above Rs one crore. We have also launched the A7 and RS5 in Pune as the city has many buyers belonging to the cream class who either own or are looking at owning an Audi.

We also have buyers from the new rich class, white collar people as well as a lot of salaried people who occupy high posts in companies. Everyone knows the status value attached to these cars. Whether you buy them or the Audi, you can make a statement with any car. Now more than the symbol, it is about the performance of the car.

Kapil Pashankar, Managing director, Audi Pune

Our bouquet of products continues to delight all
Mercedes-Benz as a brand is synonymous with luxury and sophistication in the world. In the latest, Brand Trust Report, Mercedes has emerged as the most trusted global brand supplements. Going by industry figures, in 2010, the Indian luxury automobile market has registered a robust growth of 70% whereas Mercedes-Benz has grown by 81%, thereby outperforming the market growth.

In 2011 (Jan-May), we posted an outstanding growth of 60 % in the first quarter selling  3,233 units during the period alone. This year, we are celebrating the 125th birth anniversary of the automobile worldwide. In India, we were the pioneers of luxury cars.

In our 16 years of operations in the country, we have had a great relationship with the customers exciting them with our new products and matching it with our after sales services. Today, we have close to 35,000 Mercedes-Benz cars on Indian roads.

Debashis Mitra, Director, Sales & Marketing, Mercedes-Benz India

Merc S Class makes a style statement
Mercedes still remains the ultimate status symbol. We have a Mercedes since 45 years now. Cars have come and gone, but our Mercedes is here to stay. At present, I have the S Class, BMW X5, Toyota Prado along with Mercedes E class.

If I have to go to an important place where I need to make a style statement, then without a doubt, I will opt for Mercedes S Class. Even comfort wise, the car is unbeatable.

Gautam Ladkat, Director, Panama Group

Mercedes commands respect
Mercedes has always added to status value and will always do so. It is a class apart and its symbol says it all. I am 22-year-old and feel my E350 Mercedes is sporty, stylish supporting my stature and personality. I had the option of buying the BMW 5 series but I chose Mercedes. The automobile commands respect.

Akshay Bhosale, Zucchero Foods & Restaurants Pvt Ltd

BMW introduces latest models in India
All BMW models are now available in India for the discerning buyer, whether it is the luxury of the 7 Series while travelling for business, or the Z4 Hard Top Convertible for the pure thrill of the sports car! Pune has a strong base of young and educated people which is conducive to the awareness of brands.

Within a short span of a little over 3 years that Bavaria Motors has been in Pune, it has managed to overtake its closest rival. BMW is currently the segment leader since 2 consecutive years and intends to hold on to this position with a vision to introducing latest models in India even earlier than some of the European countries.

BMW understands that the Indian market is currently the second fastest growing automobile market and is taking steps to keep the launches in accordance with the growth.

Sushil Agarwal, Director, Bavaria Motors (BMW dealership in Pune and Goa)

I will buy a Merc in my 40s
I used to drive an E220 CDI but now I have switched to BMW GT. BMWs are meant for the young. The tagline of car is ‘sheer driving experience’ and I couldn’t agree more. You can see the road very well while driving a Beemer and I am much more confident behind its wheels at high speed.

For youngsters it’s all about the speed, feel, style and look of the car and BMW satisfies all these needs in comparison with the Merc which is a bit boring. It’s a very soft car for me and I shall consider buying it again when I am 40 plus, maybe.

Rajev Jagwanee, Director, Ammons Constructions

Mercedes has its loyalists and followers
With the entry of other big brands in the Indian market, the Mercedes has lost a bit of it’s sheen but only to a small extent. It has had the frontrunner advantage as we have all grown up with the star symbol in our scope of vision to signify wealth.

Those who climb the ladder of success have always dreamt of owning a Mercedes sometime or the other. The Mercedes has its own set of loyalist and followers.

The latest technology was first only available in high-end cars but as the segment of small car buyers is much bigger, the automotive technology has started to trickle downwards.

So what a person spending big bucks looks for is the finer touches, the look, the design, the finishing and the way it’s built and crafted. In Europe, people have the notion that the BMW is meant for rebels, Audi is for the youngsters while the Mercedes is for senior executives. In India, we follow this trend.

Bhushan Mhapralkar, managing editor of Automotive Products Finder magazine