Mercedes Benz India hikes car prices by up to 20 per cent of select CBUs

Just a little while back, we reported Honda India's decision to bring in about a hike in car prices to offset the cost of OBD (on-board diagnostics) compliance changes and increase in freight. It was only a matter of time before other automakers jumped on the price-hike wagon to pass on the additional costs to their customers. 

After Honda Cars India Ltd, it is Mercedes Benz India who have announced a hike in car prices by up to 20 per cent on certain CBUs or Completely Built Units, while the prices of locally built models have been hiked by up to 1 to 4 per cent. The revised prices will be effective from 1 April, 2013. 

Mr. Eberhard Kern, managing director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India commented, “There are several factors that have put significant pressure on our bottomlines. Rising input costs and volatile exchange rates have impacted us; while the recent changes in import duty structure and increase in relevant taxes have put significant stress on our business. We have absorbed a portion of the impacts but to retain business viability, we are forced to pass on a part of this burden to the consumers".