Mercedes Benz M-Class launch pushed back to late May
Sources recently updated IndianAutosBlog.com that Mercedes Benz India has postponed the launch date of the M-Class SUV to late May after an excise hike was announced during the budget. Mercedes could start off with the ML350 CDI (3-liter V6 diesel engine producing near about 230hp/540Nm) paired to a 7-speed transmission on the last week of May and introduce new variants subsequently based on the demand. Mercedes have the option of strapping a smaller 2.2-liter diesel engine which is the most efficient in its class. Mercedes could use a top-down strategy as they have done with most recent launches.
Mercedes Benz India will not sell the locally assembled car right from the time of launch. Assembly of the new M-Class at Mercedes' CKD plant in Chakan, Maharashtra is not expected to begin before September. Until then the company will ship cars imported from Germany.