Mercedes-Benz India reported a 13 percent year-on-year increase in sales from January to June 2023, with 8,528 cars sold, marking the company’s best-ever half-year sales. This gain has been achieved despite the absence of one of its most popular vehicles in the core luxury market, the GLC SUV, whose second-generation model will be released later this month.
The carmaker’s order book carried on the strong momentum of the first quarter in the second quarter (April-June 2023), with bookings reaching the 3,500-unit barrier as the firm continues to ramp up to meet high demand. Sales in the second quarter were also the highest ever, with 3,831 units sold, representing an increase of 8% over the same period in 2022.
Santosh Iyer, MD of Mercedes Benz India, commented on the half-year sales performance, saying, “This record sales performance is driven by the high desirability of the brand, an attractive portfolio, increased availability of cars, and successful implementation of the ‘Retail of the Future’ business model.” Our focus remains on improving the customer experience and expanding the Top-End Vehicles category, which is outpacing other categories. We are looking forward to the remaining quarters since we have some of the most anticipated luxury vehicles for our customers, beginning with the new-generation GLC.”
With the addition of new models such as the EQB and EQS, battery-electric vehicle sales increased tenfold, albeit from a low base, while the top-end vehicle segment, which is priced above Rs 1.5 crore, increased by more than 50 percent in the first six months of this calendar year, accounting for over 2,000 units of total sales.
The significant highlights for Mercedes-Benz in the first half of the year were the continued high demand for the GLS, S-Class, S-Class Maybach, GLS Maybach, and AMG G 63. The LWB E-Class continued to be the company’s best-selling vehicle, while the GLE was the best-selling SUV and the new C-Class continues to drive demand and contribute significantly to Mercedes-Benz’s total performance.