Mercedes-Benz plans to increase component sourcing from India. The carmaker at present works with about 40 suppliers and is aggressively looking for ways to expand this base.

Over the past decade, Mercedes-Benz has been sourcing components from India and this offtake has been growing by at least 10 percent annually. The components being sourced include crankshafts for diesel engines, wheel rims for Actros trucks, grab handles for the A-class and forged and rubber parts.

Now as it looks to expand the quantum of sourcing, the company is setting up an engineering centre to assist Indian suppliers which cater to these orders. The primary task of the engineering centre will be to interface with local suppliers and make them globally competitive.