Mercedes-Benz India has reported its strongest-ever sales performance for both the first half (H1) and second quarter (Q2) of calendar year 2026, driven by robust demand across its luxury vehicle portfolio, strong customer response to new product launches, and continued investments in customer experience and retail network expansion. The luxury carmaker retailed 9,768 vehicles between January and June 2026, registering a 9% year-on-year growth over the 9,013 units sold during the corresponding period in 2025. The company also achieved its best-ever Q2 performance, retailing 4,637 vehicles during the April-June 2026 period, reflecting 10% growth compared to the same quarter last year.
Mercedes-Benz attributed the record performance to sustained demand for both newly launched and existing models, ongoing upgrades to its retail network, differentiated customer experience initiatives, and a favourable macroeconomic environment that continues to support growth in the luxury automotive market. The Core and Top-End Luxury segments remained the primary contributors to the company’s H1 performance, while the Entry Luxury portfolio recorded an impressive 29% growth in Q2, driven by the overwhelming market response to the newly launched CLA Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV).
Commenting on the company’s performance, Santosh Iyer, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India, said: “Mercedes-Benz’s strong growth in the first half of 2026 underlines the success of our strategy centred on offering highly desirable products, delivering an elevated customer experience, and transforming our retail network to get even closer to customers. The new V-Class and CLA BEV have powered our best-ever H1 and Q2 sales, reaffirming that Mercedes-Benz customers continue to value product excellence and innovation over entry price points.”
Highlighting the success of the company’s latest electric vehicle, he added: “The exceptional response to the new CLA BEV demonstrates that Mercedes-Benz customers are eager to embrace the latest automotive technology. The model sold out within days of its launch, with customers willing to wait five to six months to own a vehicle that truly stands apart. The CLA BEV has also helped increase our battery electric vehicle penetration to 14% of total sales during Q2 2026.”
Speaking about customer preferences in the premium segment, Iyer further noted: “The first half of 2026 also witnessed a significant shift towards our Top-End Luxury portfolio, with the segment contributing a record 28% of total sales. This growth has been driven by the strong demand for the new V-Class and the continued momentum of our Mercedes-AMG portfolio, which has recorded 50% growth during the period.”
Buoyed by its record-breaking first-half performance, Mercedes-Benz India remains optimistic about market conditions and expects positive momentum to continue through the second half of 2026.
Robust demand for the Top-End Luxury segment:
Mercedes-Benz’s Top-End Luxury segment that comprises highly desirable and industry benchmark models like the New V-Class, Mercedes-Maybach, EQS SUV and the AMG range continued its growth trajectory, successfully retaining the trust and loyalty of highly discerning customers. Top-End Luxury segment sales grew by more than 20% in H1 2026 reflecting India’s growing Ultra-HNI population and the desire by young customers to directly shift to top-end Mercedes-Benz cars.
In H1 2026, 28% of all luxury cars sold by Mercedes-Benz in India were ‘Top-End Luxury’ vehicles. Waiting period for some of the cars in the Top-End Luxury segment currently ranges from 4 months and extends up to a year for iconic products like the AMG G 63.
Steady demand drives the important ‘Core’ segment:
Mercedes-Benz’s ‘Core’ segment significantly contributed to the sales performance in H1 2026 and in Q2 2026. The Core segment comprising C-Class, E-Class LWB sedans, the GLC and GLE SUVs continued to retain customer preference, contributing a significant share in the overall sales volumes of Mercedes-Benz. In H1 2026 and Q2 2026, the success of the E-Class LWB stayed unchallenged, as the Long Wheelbase E-Class continues to remain the highest selling luxury car in India.
Strong growth in Entry Luxury Segment:
Mercedes-Benz’s Entry Luxury segment delivered a strong 29% growth in Q2 2026, driven by the successful market introduction of the all-new CLA BEV and robust customer demand for feature-rich products like the GLA SUV, offering exceptional substance and value. The performance at Entry Luxury reinforces Mercedes-Benz’s unwavering focus on offering comprehensively equipped vehicles that enhance customer value, while remaining committed to a value-led growth strategy. Mercedes-Benz prioritizes customer aspiration, brand desirability, and long-term business sustainability for customers.
Mercedes-Benz BEVs continue to surge:
Mercedes-Benz’ BEV portfolio now comprises 14% of Mercedes‑Benz’s total retail volumes in Q2 2026 volumes, underlining the growing acceleration of BEV adoption, spearheaded by the New CLA BEV in the luxury entry segment, and by the EQS SUV in the luxury top-end BEV segment- offering customers a range of BEVs to choose from.
Mercedes-Benz has been recording solid growth in BEV sales, driven by strong demand for the company’s new generation of fully electric models. The popularity of the all-new electric CLA is particularly reflected in strong BEV growth in Europe and Germany. The strong market response to the electric CLA, which won the coveted “Car of the Year 2026” in Europe, the electric GLC and GLB, as well as the upcoming world premiere of the all-new electric C-Class later this month, underpins Mercedes-Benz’s ambition to significantly increase electric vehicle sales.
Mercedes-Benz’s semi-electrified powertrains like the New S-Class PHEV, has also received tremendous customer response, with the S-Class AMG Line closed for bookings already, while the orders for the S-Class Exclusive Line are filling up fast, for deliveries commencing upcoming festive period.
Major Retail Network Expansion Planned in Q3 2026:
Under its ‘Go to Customer’ strategy, Mercedes‑Benz India has outlined an ambitious retail network expansion strategy for 2026. The company plans to establish more than 20 world‑class luxury outlets across high‑potential emerging markets, alongside reinforcing the brand’s presence in key metropolitan regions such as Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Delhi NCR. MB India has added 6 new touch points in H1 2026 spread across Bengaluru, Bhopal, Raipur, Goa and Visakhapatnam.
As part of this expansion plan, Mercedes‑Benz India will debut in new markets like Varanasi, while further strengthening its footprint with new luxury outlets in established markets of Mumbai, Pune, Delhi NCR, Hyderabad during H2 2026.
Customer Experience remains of utmost importance to Mercedes‑Benz’s Network Strategy. The company will continue to upgrade existing facilities across markets to global luxury standards, while also exploring new retail formats and advanced technologies, including AI‑ and automation‑led solutions. This expansion will be supported by an investment of over ₹450 crores by Mercedes‑Benz Franchise Partners over the next two years.
