Continental selected as ‘approved’ Mercedes-Benz aftermarket brand in India

Original equipment tyre approvals are standard practice in the automotive industry, however vehicle manufacturers’ influence on later replacement tyre choice is generally restricted to passive recommendation via OE tyre selection. Mercedes-Benz is taking a more hands-on approach in India, and has teamed up with Continental to offer a range of approved products for replacement tyre customers.

In association with the tyre maker, Mercedes-Benz India will offer a range of ‘Mercedes-Benz Approved Tyres’ for its current range. The company has also named Continental its ‘preferred tyre supplier’ for replacement products at its dealerships across India in 2017.

“At Mercedes-Benz, we are committed to enhance the aftersales experience of our customers, as we believe, service excellence will be the key differentiator in the luxury car industry,” shares Roland Folger, managing director and chief executive officer of Mercedes-Benz India. “With this conviction, we introduced the innovative and successful ‘My Mercedes, My Service’ programme in 2016, and today the introduction of the ‘Mercedes-Benz Approved Tyres’ in association with our global partners Continental Tyres, is an extension of our customer centricity even further.

“This strategic collaboration firmly reiterates our unwavering commitment towards achieving service excellence in the luxury automotive segment,” continues Folger. “The technologically advanced Mercedes-Benz vehicles also enjoy the lowest cost of ownership in the luxury car segment, and this strategic initiative will go a long way in further reducing cost of ownership and enhancing customer satisfaction.”

“We are extremely proud and honoured for being chosen as Preferred Tyre Supplier by Mercedes Benz India,” adds Philipp von Hirschheydt, executive vice-president of Continental’s Replacement APAC PLT business unit. “It is an excellent reflection of our collaboration and partnership with Mercedes Benz globally. Our team has been persistently working to provide the highest quality tyres with innovative features to complement Mercedes Benz’s great products. And today, we are even more motivated to intensify our efforts in keeping pace with changing paradigms of the automotive industry, together with Mercedes Benz, in order to serve the discerning and premium segment of customers in India.

“Continental is known for both its German Engineering and high technological expertise in the production of high performance tyres globally which is confirmed by its significant presence in the OEMs and replacement markets,” von Hirschheydt states. “In an endeavour to meet the Mercedes-Benz’s customers’ needs & expectations in India, we will be bringing our expertise and experiences from other APAC and EU markets as we are already having similar arrangements with Mercedes Benz in these markets.”

Mercedes-Benz dealerships will be set up to act as ‘one-shop stops’ for the tyre purchasing and fitting process, and the manufacturer confirms that the specifications of all Mercedes-Benz Approved Continental tyres on sale will match those of the vehicles they’re intended for.