PUNE: Mercedes Benz, India’s biggest German luxury car maker, has clocked its best ever half yearly (January-June 2024) sales in its history at 9,262 units, registering a 9 per cent YoY growth.
Archrival BMW came in second with 7,089 units sold in the first half of this year, and Audi, with 2,477 units, was third in the pecking order.
The Pune-based automaker, which is planning to go all electric by the end of the decade, on Monday introduced the fully electric Mercedes EQA 250+ SUV, its highest-selling EV worldwide, priced at Rs 66 lakh and the refreshed EQB 350 SUV priced at Rs 77.50 lakh at pan India showroom to boost retails momentum. The 7-seater EQB 250+ SUV costs Rs 70.90 lakh.
With these two launches, Mercedes-Benz reiterated its ambitious EV roadmap for the Indian market, with an aim of offering a robust EV portfolio comprising six world-class products this year.
By the end of 2024, Mercedes-Benz will have an EV in each segment, catering to every customer’s need, starting from the EQA 250+ up to the luxurious EQS Maybach SUV.
“New and updated products, elevated customer experience at retail and ease of ownership, combined with positive customer sentiments boosted our best-ever H1 sales performance,” said Santosh Iyer, MD & CEO at Mercedes-Benz India.
He said with some of the most awaited products lined up for the upcoming festive season, the brand expects the remaining quarters to continue the forecasted growth.
Iyer said there was sustained demand for Mercedes-Benz vehicles across entry, core and Top-End Vehicle segments.
“Our EV roadmap for India is ambitious, comprising the most versatile EV portfolio, starting from the EQA up to the upcoming EQS Maybach SUV, by end of the year,” he said.
Iyer said the SUV segment continued to top customer preference with 55 per cent penetration to overall sales, based on the robust performance from the GLA, GLC, GLE and GLS SUVs.
The sedan portfolio comprising the A-Class, C-Class, outgoing LWB E-Class and S-Class topped customer preference for a luxury sedan.
Mercedes-Benz also witnessed robust demand for its Top-End-Vehicle portfolio with Maybach range growing the highest at 108 per cent in H1 2024.
Mercedes-Benz’s EV portfolio continued to gain traction, growing 60 per cent YoY in H1 2024, with a penetration of 5 per cent in H1 2024 sales.
The company has been steadily building a robust charging infrastructure across its franchise partner network, comprising DC Fast and Ultra-Fast Chargers (60 kW and 180 kW), in addition to offering complimentary AC wall box chargers to its customers with every EV.
