The S 320 L, to be introduced in petrol with an automatic transmission version, will be produced at MBIL's manufacturing facility in Pune, a company spokesman said. MBIL is hoping to sell around 100 units of the car in the 2000 calendar. "The Indian plant is capable of producing any Mercedes Benz model. We will be importing the engine and transmission kits to India for the S class car,'' he said.

The S 320 L will be introduced with a high import content level, the spokesman said adding, "We intend to take the local content up to 20 per cent by next year.'' The future volume strategy, he said, will be decided based on the market response for the initial launch. "This launch will give us the benefit of test marketing. Before deciding to introduce the S class, we had received feedback from our existing customers and our existing customers feel a strong need for a much superior car and S class fulfills that requirement to perfection,''he said. About why the company chose to introduce the S-class in India, he said, "To epitomise the harmony of top-class values, Mercedes Benz India is introducing the S class in India.

It not only underlines the basic and traditional values of the Benz such as safety, reliability, quality and comfort, but also takes on board trend values like driving pleasure, individuality and design.'' The S 320 L, available the world over, has a lot of optional accessories, but MBIL is planning to provide them as standard equipment in the model being introduced in India.

The spokesman said that the investments have been made in the vendor base, dealer network as well as manufacturing capacity.

-- UNITED NEWS OF INDIA