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Old 10th January 2019, 07:42   #16
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re: Mercedes-Benz V-Class to be launched on January 24, 2019. Edit: Launched@ 68.4L

I agree there is a market for a luxury MPV of this size in the market and if Mercedes can bring it in CKD pricing format it’ll have its share of takers. This is the exact size of MUV we need here. Comfortable 3 rows with PROPER luggage space behind.

BUT, personally i feel the biggest opportunity in this segment I feel is in the 28-35 lakh (on road) price point. The Kia Carnival seems to be the only one knocking on close to that space. Every other MPV player for most part has tried to skirt around the Innova by providing smaller or cheaper alternatives. To my mind a better competitor to Innova would come if someone can produce this sort of product - Honda, Toyota, Ford, Hyundai all have these products already - can’t understand why it’s only Kia that’s taking this plunge first.

Most urban rich families would perhaps prefer to have a super high quality non German MPV combined with their 50-90 lakh budgets reserved for their 5 seater German sedans / SUVS. People blowing 80 lakh on a German MUV would still be a minuscule minority.
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Old 10th January 2019, 10:58   #17
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re: Mercedes-Benz V-Class to be launched on January 24, 2019. Edit: Launched@ 68.4L

Quote:
Originally Posted by GTO View Post
Bingo .

I think there is a definite market for a luxury van in India, at double or triple the price of an Innova. These guys would easily pay 50 - 80 lakhs for a proper luxury MPV, but there are no viable options for them.
First line about market for luxury ...true
However paying up double or triple .....I would disagree.

A close source who studied the market for such large /luxury vans figured that they're best suited for the fleet/hotel industry over private users.

Very few individuals showed interest in owing such a vehicle over renting.

Therefore paying up two ~ three times is not something people are willing to.

The Mercedes V Class is nearly 5meters in Length which is a hassle to drive & park especially in cities. Additionally driving it daily to work / work related is cumbersome.

Observations were that Innova is apt in size with premium interiors.

One reason I believe Toyota must have studied / gauged customer response to the Alphard in the Auto Expo 2018 and must have figured that people are less willing to pay beyond Rs 25~30L.

That must have helped Toyota to shelve the plan of introducing the model in India

Last edited by suhaas307 : 24th January 2019 at 01:56. Reason: Minor formatting
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Old 10th January 2019, 11:25   #18
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re: Mercedes-Benz V-Class to be launched on January 24, 2019. Edit: Launched@ 68.4L

If this even gets any closer to decent sales volume Hyundai is going to start manufacturing their H1 here in India and its game on for this niche segment of Luxury Vans.


We never know, we never expected the first Duster to set the Indian automotive scene on fire with a paradigm shift towards compact SUVs becoming the norm.


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Old 10th January 2019, 19:53   #19
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re: Mercedes-Benz V-Class to be launched on January 24, 2019. Edit: Launched@ 68.4L

While we have been discussing about market for such luxury MPVs in India, am sure the reason why MB is launching it as a CBU is because it does not have high hopes from it; might be just to test the waters. We have to wait and see which wheelbase version is getting launched here with what equipment levels and how MB is going to position this. They might as well have some extra capacity in their global plant and want to move some of those copies here!
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Old 11th January 2019, 08:53   #20
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re: Mercedes-Benz V-Class to be launched on January 24, 2019. Edit: Launched@ 68.4L

One big disadvantage of some of these vans is that they are monocoque construction. Nobody is going to overload these premium vans with tons of cargo, but for the badly maintained rural roads -these vans would need to be babied considering their long wheelbase.

I disagree that people with the money would buy vans. They'd rather be seen in a 'sporty' SUV rather than a 'boring' van.
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Old 11th January 2019, 12:55   #21
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re: Mercedes-Benz V-Class to be launched on January 24, 2019. Edit: Launched@ 68.4L

I was discussing this with one of my office friends when we had gone to Singapore for our annual kickoff. We were provided with a Toyota Van which had good interior and was spacious and comfortable.

At that time we were thinking many would rather prefer this over the Force traveler even by paying some premium. There was this app which got banned by Karnataka govt called Zipgo. I think they could have been big users for this kind of vans.

But then we concluded it will be a largely commercial affair, no one in India really buys a van for personal use
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Old 11th January 2019, 16:17   #22
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re: Mercedes-Benz V-Class to be launched on January 24, 2019. Edit: Launched@ 68.4L

The person who's likely to buy this van must be definitely owning a more expensive car which he probably drives himself occasionally. And he is going to use this van for his leisure travel/dropping kids to school where the driver is going to make the most of it. And the middle class mentality (camouflaged as practical decision in a wealthy household) will not allow the driver to enjoy the driving pleasure of Mercedes.
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Old 11th January 2019, 18:46   #23
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re: Mercedes-Benz V-Class to be launched on January 24, 2019. Edit: Launched@ 68.4L

Toyota sells a sporty version of Alphard called Vellfire in Malaysia. I saw a new one in black and its seriously drool material! I have no idea why they aren't launching such cars here. MPVs make a lot of sense and can do nearly everything that can SUV can do while offering loads of seating and luggage space.

Last edited by veyron_head : 11th January 2019 at 18:54.
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Old 23rd January 2019, 19:13   #24
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re: Mercedes-Benz V-Class to be launched on January 24, 2019. Edit: Launched@ 68.4L

I got sent these photos today by my Mercedes dealer.

Mercedes-Benz V-Class to be launched on January 24, 2019. Edit: Launched@ 68.4L-dc75ecfdbc204d36a2a2eb10c0574e66.jpg

Mercedes-Benz V-Class to be launched on January 24, 2019. Edit: Launched@ 68.4L-0124bac7431944ddaeb3c4c8eb690a78.jpg

Mercedes-Benz V-Class to be launched on January 24, 2019. Edit: Launched@ 68.4L-652f6d08aba449fca8bcd41e68e9baf2.jpg

Mercedes-Benz V-Class to be launched on January 24, 2019. Edit: Launched@ 68.4L-874f8403175b46be8b06cadc48c84541.jpg

Mercedes-Benz V-Class to be launched on January 24, 2019. Edit: Launched@ 68.4L-b7f169ab568b4ad2b792db4a5d1b98d0.jpg

Mercedes-Benz V-Class to be launched on January 24, 2019. Edit: Launched@ 68.4L-1e35c7af412a433eaf725c163adfeb0c.jpg

Mercedes-Benz V-Class to be launched on January 24, 2019. Edit: Launched@ 68.4L-3acdb0628e414328b35de5e27e816711.jpg

Mercedes-Benz V-Class to be launched on January 24, 2019. Edit: Launched@ 68.4L-7d7cf76bb16049d8a4e34fdbccc98fdc.jpg

Mercedes-Benz V-Class to be launched on January 24, 2019. Edit: Launched@ 68.4L-215bc288344d4af2a3711f51e2c08056.jpg

Mercedes-Benz V-Class to be launched on January 24, 2019. Edit: Launched@ 68.4L-d33a01b729534d6596993da0e728323d.jpg

Mercedes-Benz V-Class to be launched on January 24, 2019. Edit: Launched@ 68.4L-d3869bdbd5a842a88017aeb83b69c824.jpg

Mercedes-Benz V-Class to be launched on January 24, 2019. Edit: Launched@ 68.4L-d5190b1a30a84b1a972718db8264a69e.jpg
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Old 23rd January 2019, 19:19   #25
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re: Mercedes-Benz V-Class to be launched on January 24, 2019. Edit: Launched@ 68.4L

Quote:
Originally Posted by Porcupine View Post
I got sent these photos today by my Mercedes dealer.
Is it just me or does the side profile look really weird due to the extra long wheelbase? Also with the real life pictures, I find the dash to look too simple for the price and find a little similarity to the one on the Grand i10.

Perhaps, the car would look better in more interesting colours.
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Old 23rd January 2019, 20:59   #26
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re: Mercedes-Benz V-Class to be launched on January 24, 2019. Edit: Launched@ 68.4L

Quote:
Originally Posted by porsche_guy View Post
Is it just me or does the side profile look really weird....

Perhaps, the car would look better in more interesting colours.
The side profile has an uncanny resemblance of a hearse.

However, the car would find a dedicated user base from executive transport, premium client/guest transit and airport drop segments. Nothing matters more than the three-pointed star for some people and for some other folks anything less than a Merc for commute is an insult.

Let's wish Mercedes India great success for this (bold) move.

Last edited by suhaas307 : 24th January 2019 at 01:57. Reason: Minor formatting
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Old 23rd January 2019, 22:09   #27
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re: Mercedes-Benz V-Class to be launched on January 24, 2019. Edit: Launched@ 68.4L

Quote:
Originally Posted by sandeepmdas View Post

However, the car would find a dedicated user base from executive transport, premium client/guest transit and airport drop segments. Nothing matters more than the three-pointed star for some people and for some other folks anything less than a Merc for commute is an insult.


.
Turkey is full of these. Used for airport drops and small groups. Plenty of space, tough reliable mechanicals - worth paying the premium for!
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Old 23rd January 2019, 22:13   #28
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re: Mercedes-Benz V-Class to be launched on January 24, 2019. Edit: Launched@ 68.4L

Black one, with some awesome alloy wheels would completely transform its looks. Hope this sells well and doesn't end up like estate models.

P.S: Expected lot more than 6 seats for the given size!

Last edited by giri1.8 : 23rd January 2019 at 22:19.
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Old 23rd January 2019, 23:10   #29
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re: Mercedes-Benz V-Class to be launched on January 24, 2019. Edit: Launched@ 68.4L

I see them becoming common with The likes of Avis, Uber Black, 5 Star Hotels, Premium Tour Companies, fleet of several spendthrift political parties, etc.

What is Not Lacking in India is a market for the V-Class (as long as they are sensible in pricing it right). There is plenty.

Last edited by haldar_siliguri : 23rd January 2019 at 23:13.
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Old 23rd January 2019, 23:59   #30
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re: Mercedes-Benz V-Class to be launched on January 24, 2019. Edit: Launched@ 68.4L

I heard the price will be some crazy 1.1cr+ OTR Hoping that wouldn't be the case.
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