Learning to drive and that too in a Mercedes Benz

KOTTAYAM: Fancy this, you are learning how to drive and the car before you is a Mercedes Benz. What more could you ask for? For Cherthala native Ratheesh (22), driving a Benz was something beyond his wildest dreams. Now, the electrician is driving his favourite car and other Merc lovers are queuing up before Ambadi driving school here .
V S Saigal, who is now managing the driving school started by his father in 1972, bought the pre-owned 2007 model two months ago from Kollam.He affixed an additional brake system which is common to all driving school vehicles. "Many aspirants approached me with a wish to learn driving in vehicles with an automatic gear system. Since the vehicle had an automatic gear system there was no need for an additional clutch. But fixing the additional brake was a problem as no one had tried it on a Benz," he said.
The sudden rush Saigal saw might have been triggered by recent advertisements that sought chauffeurs who knew to drive cars with automatic gears. "I always ensure that my students are allowed to drive a set of cars," he said.
An elated Ratheesh cannot hide his joy. "Till a few weeks ago, I used to stare when a Benz would cruise by. But now, I'm driving one."
Malayali's fascination for luxury cars, particularly Benz , can be validated through sales figures. On an average, 60 Benz cars are sold in Kerala each month. Benz is the largest selling luxury car in Kerala.