German luxury car maker Mercedes-Benz on 10th August announced the launch of SLK 350 in the country, priced at Rs. 6.2 million (US$ 136,826) (ex-showroom, New Delhi).

Commenting on the sales expectations from the new model, Mercedes Benz India Director (Sales and Marketing) Debashis Mitra said: "Last year, we were selling 3-4 cars a month. We hope with the new SLK we will be improving that number".

The new car will come to India as a completely built unit (CBU) and will be available in petrol version, Mitra said, adding that the company sold around 3-4 cars a month of SLK 200 last year.

Speaking about affect of the recent interest rate hikes and increase in cost of petrol on the luxury car segment, Mitra said the impact would not be substantial.

"The luxury car industry will be impacted, we cannot say it won't be impacted. But the growth rates are extremely impressive now. It will come down to impressive. But I don't think it won't go to low or something like that because its now growing at 50-55%," Mitra said.

Mercedes-Benz India sold 5,819 cars between January and December, 2010, the highest-ever sales figure registered by the company in the country.