Kochi, 17 March 2009: Despite the global slowdown, luxury car maker Mercedes-Benz is optimistic of maintaining growth in the Indian market during the 2009 fiscal.

'We are optimistic that growth will continue, though it will not be 46% as during the previous year, Mr.Suhas Kadlaskar, Director (Corporate Affairs), Mercedes-Benz India Private Ltd, told reporters here.

The car maker had sold 3,625 units nationally in 2008 and sales had registered a 14% growth during February 2008 to February 2009 and the company hopes to maintain the market leadership this year too, he said.

In Kerala, Mercedes-Benz has grown by 20-25%. During this year, the growth may not be of the same level, but it will be progressive, he said.

To beat recession, Mercedez-Benz has introduced several innovative schemes by tieing up with banks, he said.

On plans to woo customers from smaller cities, he said in smaller cities also Mercedez was growing fast and a 20% volume has been recorded from these cities. There are plans to open dealerships in Vishakapatnam and Vijaywada in Andhra Pradesh, he said.