Mercedes-Benz India plans to introduce first BS VI car in India in 2018

Indian luxury car market leader, Mercedes-Benz India plans to steal a march over its peers and the rest of the automotive industry in introducing the first Euro 6 (BS VI) vehicle way before the April 2020 deadline set by the government.

This move will first be executed in one of the key metros in 2018. The team at Mercedes-Benz India is currently trying to figure out whether its Euro 6 diesel cars can “deal with” the sulphur content in the BS IV fuel. Simultaneously, it is also evaluating other options to make the right quality fuel available to the customers of the Euro 6 cars. These options include delivery vehicles to refill cars at the doorstep of customers.

Roland Folger, Mercedes-Benz India’s MD and CEO (pictured below), has discovered that there could be unforeseen challenges in India, and it could be “easier said than done”. “But that doesn’t affect our commitment to do it anyway,” he says. Mercedes-Benz India is negotiating with the government for support in facilitating the introduction of vehicles from any manufacturer meeting the BS VI norms well before the April 2020 deadline. 

Folger argues that BS VI-compliant cars will do a better job in reducing air pollution than hybrids, which are enjoying government incentives. “If a large hybrid gives you 15 percent (less emission), introduction of a Euro 6 engine with Bharat Stage IV fuel will lead to 82 percent reduction in NOx,” says Folger. He says 6-7 large manufacturers coming together in embracing BS VI in advance would have a much larger influence on the overall emission level. Folger thinks he has a strong case in favour of incentivising early adopters of BS VI, but he is not getting feelers for support yet.

Apart from help to clean the air, Folger says, adoption of BS VI cars earlier would also result in better resale value than BS IV cars when they are sold after April 2020. Pretty much like what some car buyers are doing in opting for cars with safety features, even before they become mandatory from October 2017.

The decision to introduce BS VI cars before the regulation is also seen as a CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) activity at Mercedes-Benz India as also a step to enhance the brand’s appeal. “It is good for customers to see that we are taking a proactive stance on these issues because people feel more comfortable with a brand who takes these issues head on instead of always hiding behind courts, behind lawyers,” says Folger.

The plan sounds good. Such a step by Mercedes-Benz India, and other OEMs if any, will be a big positive. But getting the cars homologated may be an issue as the testing parameters may not be ready yet. Folger will try his best to get his cars homologated, even if it means taking the help of an organisation like the National Green Tribunal (NGT). 

Looks like Mercedes-Benz is seeing meeting the BS VI deadline well before April 2020 as a good opportunity to establish itself as a more responsible and proactive brand.  

Also read: Mercedes-Benz launches E-Class LWB at Rs 56.15 lakh