In a year marked by the introduction of eight new cars, with two more slated for Diwali, Mercedes-Benz India is celebrating significant success. The brand reported an impressive year-on-year sales growth of 11 per cent, delivering a total of 12,768 vehicles since the beginning of the year. Notably, their top-end vehicles, such as the S-Class, Mercedes-Maybach, AMGs, and EQS, have been in high demand, constituting 25 per cent of total sales. Their ‘core luxury’ segment also continues its robust sales performance, with the LWB E-Class being their star performer and the newly launched GLC also in high demand. The festive season and a warm reception for the latest vehicles have contributed to these positive sales figures.
Nevertheless, Mercedes-Benz has faced its share of challenges throughout the year. Supply chain disruptions have limited the availability of key SUVs like the GLA, GLC, and GLS. Additionally, Mercedes-Benz India also secured 25 allocations for the Mercedes-AMG G 63 'Grand Edition' from a worldwide production run of 1000. To ensure exclusivity, this vehicle was only offered to customers who already own a Maybach, S-Class, or AMG. However, demand exceeded supply, with all 25 allocations of the ₹4 crore SUV being sold out within just 6-minutes. A further 90 inquiries for the G 63 ‘Grand Edition’ from elite customers remained unfulfilled.
In a remarkable move, Mercedes-Benz has dedicated the entire month of October to sustainability initiatives, going beyond the global "sustainability day" celebrated on October 26. Mercedes-Benz is engaging with customers in person by hosting golf tournaments and dinners with Michelin-starred chefs to raise awareness about the brand's sustainability goals. The dinners are hosted in venues that run on solar power, and the menu is curated with sustainably sourced products. Mercedes-Benz has committed to achieving 100 per cent carbon neutrality by 2039, encompassing not only manufacturing but the entire supply chain.
Mercedes-Benz is also offering a sustainability loyalty bonus to existing customers who are making the switch from ICE vehicles to BEVs. Moreover, in states where road tax applies to BEVs, the brand will cover 50% of the road tax cost for any EQB, EQS, or EQE SUV sold in October. On World Sustainability Day, Mercedes-Benz will provide free access to its charging network for all EV owners in India.
Mercedes-Benz is striving to maintain its reputation as one of the most desirable luxury brands in India by engaging with its customers through various events. G-Class customers recently got the chance to experience the vehicle in its natural habitat at the experience centre in Graz, Austria. Additionally, Mercedes-AMG held its AMG Emotion Tour in Aamby Valley, allowing customers to experience their performance vehicles at the air strip, participate in autocross and drift experiences, and even take to the skies in light aircraft.
Mercedes-Benz is taking this approach to the next level by partnering with the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) in Mumbai. The brand will host various events and bespoke experiences for their customers in the world of art and culture. Customers will also get exclusive access to world-renowned artists, theatre performances, and fashion shows.
To mark this collaboration, Mercedes-Benz unveiled its own masterpiece: the Vision Mercedes Maybach 6. This stunning concept made its debut at the 2016 Concourse d' Elegance, offering a glimpse into its future design language. The Vision Mercedes Maybach 6s design harks back to the aero-coupes that were coachbuilt in Europe in the 1930s. Stretching to 6-metres in length, the concept boasts gullwing doors and a boat-tail rear end. Although the long, sleek bonnet looks like it could easily house a V12, the concept is actually an EV. The underfloor batteries power an electric motor at each wheel for a total output of 740bhp. This allows the Vision Mercedes Maybach 6 to accelerate to 100kmph in under four seconds and on to an electronically limited top speed of 250kmph.
Mercedes-Benz has also revealed plans to launch two more vehicles in conjunction with Diwali, bringing the total number of launches this year to ten. These product launches and strategic customer engagement initiatives reinforce Mercedes-Benz's reputation as one of India's most coveted luxury automobile brands.