Mercedes C-Class: When Mercedes-Benz India introduced its long wheelbase (LWB) E-Class in 2017, it struck gold since the additional rear-seat comfort and space gave it a significant competitive advantage. Mercedes-Benz India has finally clarified why the LWB treatment was not given to the smaller C-Class despite the fact that that vehicle was a success.
Know about the launch date
The new Mercedes-Benz C-Class, which was introduced in May 2022 but came with a price increase with its new generation, has been a major success for the company in India. It was closely followed by the E-Class as Mercedes India’s second most popular model in FY2023, and even though some of that can be attributed to the GLC, the company’s best-selling SUV and former first-runner up in sales, being phased out and discontinued, the C’s solid 2,405 units is a strong number by any standard.
LWB sedans big business in chauffeur-driven India
To put the idea of stretched sedans into perspective, every other vehicle in its segment, including the Mercedes-Benz S-Class flagship, has always been sold in India in its LWB configuration (and more recently, the extra-long Maybach standard). Long wheelbase variants of less expensive cars and even some SUVs have done well in the Chinese market for years. Although LWB automobiles appear to have a sizable following in India, Mercedes claims that the standard wheelbase (SWB) C-Class fits Indian consumers’ needs in its segment. The LWB C-Class has been available in China for several generations.
Know about the driven experience
The E-Class and S-Class, both LWB models, have consumers who are predominantly chauffeur driven, according to Santosh Iyer, MD and CEO of Mercedes-Benz India, who explained this in a statement to Autocar India. However, the C-Class does not, and its owners prefer to drive themselves.On the customer use cases, we must be explicit. The majority of our E-Class clients choose the backseat on weekdays, and the driver’s seat on weekends. But many of our C-Class clients operate the vehicle themselves,” added Iyer.
Mercedes C-Class: Adopted strategy
Mercedes’ current Indian rival BMW has adopted a slightly different strategy. BMW made the decision to sell a second product in the same sector the following year even though its SWB 5 Series was introduced just a few months after the LWB E-Class in 2017. With a wheelbase and rear-seat capacity equivalent to the LWB E-Class plus a few more luxuries like standard air suspension and a reclining rear seat, the bigger, high-riding 6 Series GT was positioned above the 5 Series. Although it was never as popular with purchasers who hired a chauffeur as the E-Class or even the 5 Series, it did provide them a choice.
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