Mercedes-Benz India posted its strongest first-half performance in company history on 7 July 2026, retailing 9,768 units between January and June 2026 — a 9 per cent rise over H1 2025. The second quarter alone delivered a best-ever 4,637 units, up 10 per cent year-on-year, signalling that demand for premium vehicles in India continues to outpace the broader passenger car market.

Top-End Vehicles Drive Record Share

The most striking shift in Mercedes-Benz India's sales mix is the surge in its top-end vehicle (TEV) segment. Top-end luxury models — spanning the S-Class, Mercedes-Maybach, Mercedes-AMG, and the newly launched V-Class — reached an all-time high share of 28 per cent of total sales in H1, growing more than 20 per cent over the same period last year. Mercedes-AMG alone surged 50 per cent in H1 2026, underscoring appetite for performance variants at the upper end of the market.

The long-wheelbase E-Class retained its position as the highest-selling luxury car in the portfolio, with particularly strong demand for the top-spec E450 variant.

BEV Penetration Doubles in Q2

Battery-electric vehicle (BEV) adoption within Mercedes-Benz India's own sales base saw a sharp acceleration. BEV penetration doubled to 14 per cent of the total sales mix in Q2 2026, driven primarily by the new CLA BEV and the EQS SUV. The EQS SUV was cited by the company as the highest-selling luxury BEV in the country, while top-end BEVs collectively contributed 25 per cent of top-end sales in H1.

Notably, the CLA BEV sold out rapidly after launch, with customers reportedly willing to wait nearly six months for delivery — an indicator of demand depth that is unusual even in the premium segment.

Entry Luxury Segment Adds Momentum

Mercedes-Benz India's entry luxury segment also delivered a strong 29 per cent growth in Q2 2026, buoyed by the market debut of the all-new CLA BEV and sustained demand for the GLA SUV. The performance suggests that the brand is widening its base even as it moves upmarket — a dual-track strategy that few luxury marques have executed simultaneously in India.

What the CEO Said

Santosh Iyer, Managing Director and CEO of Mercedes-Benz India, attributed the record numbers to product substance rather than pricing strategy. 'The new V-Class and CLA BEV drove our best-ever H1 and Q2 sales, underpinning superior product substance, reconfirming Mercedes customers' preference for value over entry price points,' he said.

Iyer added that the CLA BEV's rapid sell-out and customers' willingness to wait nearly six months underscored their preference for owning the latest technology. On the top-end surge, he noted: 'H1 2026 has shown increased preference for our top-end Vehicles, with the share of TEVs now reaching an all-time high of 28 per cent, fuelled by the introduction and growing demand for the New V-Class and the 50 per cent growth trajectory achieved by the AMG portfolio.'

Expansion Into Emerging Markets

Looking ahead, Mercedes-Benz India plans to inaugurate five new luxury outlets in key emerging markets — including Varanasi — in Q3 2026. The move signals a deliberate push beyond India's traditional metro luxury hubs, tapping into rising affluence in Tier-2 cities. This comes amid a broader industry trend of premium brands recognising that India's next wave of luxury buyers is not concentrated in Mumbai or Delhi alone.