…Targets Over 40% Market Shares in 2017
Nigerian lovers of luxury automobiles are now spoil for choices, for the world’s luxury car maker, Mercedes-Benz, has launched four latest models into the nation’s market. GLE4Matic Th e nation’s sole representative of the marquee in Nigeria, Weststar Associates Limited recently unveiled the latest sate of the art product Nigeria market. Th e four models, which are now available in showrooms across the country, include Mercedes-Benz E200, GLE 400 (4MATIC), V 250 (an MPV) and GLC 300. And to meet the specifi c needs of the nation’s luxury market, Managing Director of Weststar, Mr. Mirko Plath, who described the launch of the four models as a show of determination to continue to meet customers’ needs, despite the recession in Nigeria, hinted that the four-model launch would soon be followed with introduction of other “exciting products”. “Like you may know”, Plath noted, ”you have diffi cult situation everywhere in the world. It is not Nigeria specifi c problem. Mercedes is a proactive company and our main aim is to meet customers’ demands. “We are not going to sleep, because there is crisis. We have to keep on exciting our customers by launching new products and services in the market; there is the need for the organization to keep evolving and bringing out new things.” New Mercedes-Benz E-Class Th e Weststar boss, who expressed confi dence that Mercedes-Benz would continue to maintain robust share of the nation’s luxury automobile market, said launching of new products is one of the company’s strategies to sustain it market share. “So far, so good, in spite of the recession, we are doing well,” Plath enthused, adding, “Mercedes Benz E Class which is an important car for the brand Mercedes with a new model for 2017 will defi nitely drive a good market share for the year and further. “Th e E Class will have a market share of approximately 42 to 47% in Nigeria, while the S Class always has a market share of more than 78% throughout the year.’ ” Th is is a good motivation for us. Th at is why the idea to design, re-design, re-invent and to give customers cars that will deliver elegance of what you expect in the future in terms of utmost driving in important to Mercedes-Benz. Asked if the cut down on Luxury items by people due to the recession is aff ecting their products, Plath replied: ”of course, there is bound to be a change in customer behaviour , when there is a crisis like this; but in the premium segment, we have managed to sustain the market share throughout last year and year before. We don’t really see a big risk to our sector.” “What was unveiled to the media last week, prove that the new E-Class has continued to maintain the solid reputation of its predecessor, which got rolled out as estate, coupe, cabriolet or saloon and reputed to be one of the best cars in a class full of very strong contenders such as Jaguar XF, Audi A6 and BMW 5-Series.E-Class has been reputed for being discreet, comfortable and well-built, a theme the new model has obviously continued.he most intelligent business saloon, the new E class saloon launched last week, comes with distinct, emotive design and smart interior and powered by a four-cylinder petrol engine. Formally known as M-Class, the new GLE, which is also now on sale in Nigeria, is powered by a direct-injection twin-turbo V6 engine with spray-guided combustion, new piezo injectors and MSI multi-spark ignition. It also comes with innovative styling, including more appealing headlights, bumpers and front grills. New Mercedes-Benz V-Class The new V 250 variant of the new MPV, which was also launched last week, comes with eye-catching styling, tasteful interior design and spacious enough to accommodate seven or even eight passengers. Also rolled into the nation’s market last week was an improved version of the sporty Mercedes-Benz GLK Coupe, the new GLC 300, which is equipped with such standard safety features as: trailer sway control, crosswind assistance, forward collision intervention system with automatic braking, Pre-Safe (takes measures to secure the cabin and occupants when a crash is imminent) and drowsy driver warning system. It also comes with antilock brakes, traction and stability control, front-seat side airbags, a driver knee airbag and full-length side curtain airbags, and more. Watch out for review of each of the launched models in future editions of Motoring World International. Source: Motoring World International
