``We, along with Debis, are looking into the possibilities of business opportunities in India. We would like to look more into auto-related business, and not into life insurance,'' Mr J Ziegler, managing director and CEO, Mercedes-Benz India told The Financial Express.

The study is at an initial stage and there have been no negotiations with any Indian partner as yet, he added. ``We are watching the policy development in the finance and insurance sectors,'' Mr Ziegler said.

Mercedes is the third auto company considering a foray into auto-related insurance after Maruti Udyog and Fiat. The company does not have plans to introduce the Smart car in the country, and is ``analysing various opportunities particularly keeping in view the opening of the market from April 2001,'' he said. Mercedes-Benz India is on the right path and well on its targets. The company will be able to turnaround in calendar year 2000 and post black figures, he said. ``We have invested Rs 600 crore in setting up a manufacturing plant here and launching car models. We will make operating profits by end of the current year,'' he said. The sale of E and S class shows extremely encouraging trend, he added. ``We would like to play a major role in the Indian automobile market with our technologically best solutions,'' Mr Ziegler said.

On the issue of auto policy, Mercedes-Benz wants the excise duty concession to be made applicable for all cars, including luxury cars. ``We expect an equal treatment in the automotive policy to all players without discriminating between the segments based on any artificial parameters like engine capacity or value. Such a discrimination would not only create an artificial barrier in the market but also kill the initiative of car majors to introduce latest technology,'' he said. On the import of completely built units, Mercedes Benz India support restrictions on used-car imports. Car imports are, however, necessary to create quality competition in the domestic industry.

In order to strengthen its exclusive service station network, the company is planning to open about 10 service points in various cities.``Six to 10 service stations will be opened in Jaipur, Goa, Agra, Nagpur, Jalandhar and in southern India by the first quarter of 2001,'' Mr Ziegler said. At present, the company has 11 dealers and 13 service points in the country.