Merc ‘Proven Exclusivity’ programme in Kolkata

KOLKATA: After the introduction of its pre-owned car programme ‘Proven Exclusivity’ in the cities of – Ahmedabd, Chennai, Delhi & Mumbai under phase I, Mercedes-Benz India has now launched it in Kolkata:. This program utilises specific global benchmarks for vehicle evaluation, quality and warranty to offer Mercedes-Benz certified pre-owned cars to customers. However, the dealers will not entertain Mercedes cars above six years of age or 60,000 miles of run for trading through proven exclusivity route. “Comprehensive evaluation and refurbishment criteria, scientific tools for audit and inspection as well as manufacturer backed warranty go into the making of certified ‘Proven Exclusivity’ vehicle, the dream of owning Mercedes-Benz thus becomes even more achievable,” Debashis Mitra, Director Sales and Marketing, Mercedes- Benz India, told at the press conference in Kolkata. “At the same time customers can also drive in their existing vehicles and drive out with their new Mercedes-Benz cars utilising the trade-in route under ‘Proven Exclusivity’,” he added. Speaking about the pre-owned car business, he said the company had sold some 400 cars in the four cities where the pre-owned car business was launched in May. Mitra also stated that the company aims to achieve 10 per cent of the new car sale through the route of used cars in this year and ultimately reach the figure of 15 per cent in years to come. The pre-owned cars will be offered for sale through the authorized Mercedes-Benz dealerships where the customer will receive additional support in areas such as financing, documentation and delivery. Mercedes-Benz Pre-owned cars program has been in existence since 2009 and operates across 35 countries presently. The Indian arm of the Stuttgart-based company is looking to clock 500 used cars this year — which is 10 per cent of its target of 5,000 cars (brand new models) for the period. "We expect to do a business of 500 cars from the pre-owned cars segment. Second hand car business would account for close to 10 per cent of the new car business, but it may increase to 15 per cent in the next one to two years," Mitra was quoted as saying to reporters in Kolkata. It is to be mentioned that the Indian arm of the German automaker has already 4,221 units till date. “We have already sold 4,221 cars till September. If we sustain the momentum, we can achieve the 5,000 figure easily,” Mitra said.