Mercedes-Benz India posts record H1 sales of 9,768 units, EV penetration doubles to 14% in Q2 on strong CLA BEV demand
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Mercedes-Benz India posted its highest-ever first-half sales in the country, retailing 9,768 vehicles between January and June 2026, as robust demand for its newly launched models, particularly the all-electric CLA BEV and the new V-Class, helped offset broader macroeconomic uncertainties in the luxury automobile market.
The German luxury carmaker also recorded its best-ever April-June quarter, selling 4,637 vehicles during the period, up 10% from 4,238 units a year earlier. The company said sustained demand across its top-end luxury portfolio, core models and battery electric vehicles (BEVs) enabled it to register a 9% year-on-year increase in H1 sales while maintaining a positive outlook for the second half of the year.
New launches, EVs fuel growth
Mercedes-Benz India Managing Director & CEO Santosh Iyer attributed the record performance primarily to the company's recent product launches, with the new V-Class luxury MPV and the CLA BEV emerging as key growth drivers.
"The growth has been fundamentally driven by new launches. The new V-Class and CLA BEV drove our best-ever H1 and Q2 sales," Iyer said.
He noted that the strong response to the CLA BEV has significantly accelerated the company's electric vehicle transition, with battery electric vehicles accounting for 14% of Mercedes-Benz India's total sales mix in the second quarter, nearly doubling their contribution compared with previous levels.
According to the company, the CLA BEV was sold out within days of its launch, with customers currently facing waiting periods of five to six months. The electric sedan has emerged as one of Mercedes-Benz India's strongest-performing new products, while the EQS SUV continues to remain the company's highest-selling luxury electric vehicle.
Top-end luxury demand remains resilient
Mercedes-Benz said demand for its top-end luxury portfolio remained exceptionally strong despite global economic headwinds.
Sales of vehicles priced above ₹1.4 crore grew by over 20% during the first six months of 2026, with these models accounting for 28% of the company's overall sales in India—its highest-ever contribution. The portfolio includes models such as the Mercedes-Maybach range, S-Class, AMG performance vehicles, EQS SUV and the new V-Class.
Mercedes-AMG, in particular, registered a sharp 50% growth during H1, reflecting increasing demand for high-performance luxury cars among affluent Indian buyers. Battery electric vehicles also made significant inroads into the premium segment, with BEVs contributing 25% of all top-end luxury sales during the period.
The strong demand has also resulted in extended waiting periods, with delivery timelines ranging from four months for several models to nearly a year for the iconic AMG G 63 SUV.
Core models continue to anchor volumes
Besides the premium portfolio, Mercedes-Benz claimed that its core models continued to underpin overall sales growth.
The C-Class, E-Class Long Wheelbase sedans, GLC and GLE SUVs remained among the company's biggest volume contributors during both H1 and the second quarter. The Long Wheelbase E-Class retained its position as India's highest-selling luxury car, supported by sustained demand for the E450 variant.
At the entry level, the luxury segment recorded 29% growth in the April-June quarter, driven by the successful debut of the CLA BEV and healthy demand for the GLA SUV. The company said the performance reaffirmed its strategy of offering feature-rich products rather than competing primarily on entry-level pricing.
Iyer said the record first-half performance demonstrates the success of Mercedes-Benz India's strategy centred on premium products, customer experience and network expansion.
"The success of the new CLA BEV is an affirmation that Mercedes-Benz customers prefer owning the latest technology. Customers are willing to wait several months to own the car, which is truly distinctive and a class of its own," he said.
Looking ahead, Mercedes-Benz India plans to strengthen its retail footprint by opening more than 20 luxury outlets across emerging and established markets during 2026. The company will inaugurate five new outlets in the third quarter, including its first dealership in Varanasi, while franchise partners are expected to invest more than ₹450 crore over the next two years to support the expansion and upgrade existing facilities.