Also, the company added that if the government drops the cess on luxury cars or reduces it, it could result in doubling of volumes in the near future.

"We are fully aware that the post deeply hurt the feelings of Chinese people, including our Chinese colleagues and we would like to extend the sincerest apology," state-run Global Times quoted the company as saying in a statement.

The Mercedes "MBUX" dashboard system to be rolled out across the lineup is about as capable at understanding what you say - and more importantly what you mean - as Amazon's Alexa, Apple's Siri or Alphabet's Google Assistant.

Roland Folger, managing director (MD) and chief executive at Mercedes-Benz India, said with government incentive, the implementation of the BS-VI norms can be expedited. Mercedes-Benz claimed the new engine produces 68 per cent less nitrous oxides, 82 per cent less particulate matter and betters fuel efficiency by six per cent than the outgoing model.

The premium auto business has now become more complicated, as illustrated by the BMW models displayed at this week’s Los Angeles auto show, amid a backdrop of heavy spending by luxury auto brands on new models and technology as they make awkward leaps from a predictable past to an uncertain future.

The first such cars will be rolled out for the Delhi market; the central government has decided only BS-VI fuel must be supplied in the capital from April 1, two years before national rollout. All new vehicles sold at present comply with BS-IV norms.

The company through its 'Brand Tour' covering 12 locations in India is seeking to offer 'Mercedes-Benz experience' to prospective buyers in Tier II and Tier III cities, where it doesn't have a direct presence.