Mercedes-Benz India Eyes Record Year Amidst Strong Demand

Mercedes-Benz India is on track to achieve its best-ever sales year, projecting strong momentum through the current festive season. The luxury automaker currently holds approximately 2,000 pending customer orders.

The company's recently introduced CLA model has completely sold out for the remainder of 2026, while the EQS SUV currently has a waiting period of three to four months. Mercedes-Benz India is adopting a "powertrain agnostic" strategy, offering a diverse range of options including petrol, diesel, battery electric vehicles (BEVs), and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) to cater to customer preferences.

Electric vehicles constitute 14% of Mercedes-Benz India's total sales, a figure that rises to 22% in the top-end luxury segment and 25% for the new CLA. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) are presented as an alternative for customers facing charging limitations or range anxiety for long-distance travel, though their availability will remain selective across the portfolio.

Decisions regarding the localization of PHEV components will be based on sales volumes and supplier capabilities, with each model being evaluated individually. Mercedes-Benz has successfully launched 10 out of its planned 12 models for 2026, including the recently released AMG E53 plug-in hybrid. The company is not actively seeking specific policy incentives for PHEVs, aligning with the government's broader focus on battery electric vehicles for long-term decarbonization goals. Current projections indicate that 2026 could indeed become Mercedes-Benz India's most successful year.