The company also announced an attractive 3-year extended warranty program for its entire passenger car range with effect 1 st February 2001. However, how much of this translates into actual sales is yet to be seen. However, one company, which has managed to surprise everyone by its performance, is Mercedes-Benz. The BIFR referred company has posted its maiden profit thanks to higher sales during the year. The company has sold 813 cars in 2000 as compared to 734 in 1999.
Price increases The month also saw two carmakers hiking their prices.
Ford has increased prices of its five Ikon variants by Rs1,000 to Rs10,000. Daewoo hiked prices of its small car Matiz by Rs6,000 to Rs12,000. The hike in prices have come about as a result of higher operating costs due to fall in the value of the rupee, increase in global steel and fuel prices and implementation of a uniform sales tax structure. A fortune in black gold. All rights reserved.