Mercedes-Benz India, the leading German luxury car manufacturer in the country, has achieved new milestones. In 2024, the company reported its best-ever sales performance in three decades with sales of 19,565 new vehicles in the country, up 12.4 percent YoY. With this, Mercedes-Benz India becomes the first luxury brand to have crossed the 200,000 units sales milestone in the country.

In 2024, the German luxury brand launched 14 new products, including 9 top-end The company attributed the performance to a combination of new launches, existing models and an enhanced retail customer experience.

Last year, Mercedes-Benz launched 14 new products including 9 ultra-premium models in the Indian market. The year also marked the company increasing sales of its EV models consisting of the – EQA 250+, EQB SUV, EQS SUV 580 and the Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV - to over six percent, registering a growth of 94 percent YoY.

Crossing milestones

Mercedes-Benz was amongst the first luxury car brands to have entered the Indian automotive market. This commitment has been rewarded by the Indian consumers who have shown their preference towards Mercedes-Benz, and helped it cross the sales milestone of 200,000 units in the country.

The company shared that of the 200,000 Mercedes-Benz sold since 1994, 100,000 vehicles were sold in the last six years alone (2019-2024). The first 50,000 units sales milestone took 20 years (1994-2013), following the next 50,000 units in five years (2014-2018).

On the other hand, Mercedes-Benz Financial Services, the finance arm of the luxury car maker, has achieved INR 100 billion portfolio in India. Interestingly, every second Mercedes-Benz sold in the country was financed by the company.

Santosh Iyer, MD & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India, said, “Mercedes-Benz continues to lead with its BEV roadmap, strengthening our commitment to sustainability. Our product offensive in 2025 begins with the debut of two eagerly awaited BEVs: the iconic G580 with EQ technology and the 'Made-in-India' EQS SUV 450. The G580 brings the iconic off-road capabilities of the G-Class into the electric age, setting new standards and unlocking unparalleled possibilities in luxury, performance, and sustainability. Following the success of the EQS SUV in India, we are happy to introduce its second variant, EQS SUV 450 in a 5-seater configuration. The EQS SUV 450 combines progressive technology, unparalleled luxury, and ample space with sustainability at its heart.

Expansion and new model launches

As part of its growth strategy for India, the company also marked the launch of two new EVs in the country – the 5-seater made-in-India EQS 450 SUV and the G 580 with EQ Technology.

Mercedes-Benz India also announced its 2025 roadmap for the country ‘Desire to Exceed’, which will see 8 new product launches in addition to facelifts and 20 new luxury touchpoints including expanding to new markets.

It expects its franchise partners will make investment of over INR 4.5 billion towards over the course of next three years.

Mercedes-Benz India has also pledged INR 75 million towards road safety initiatives in the country.

"At Mercedes-Benz, we will continue to shape the future of mobility in the digital era —pushing the boundaries of customer experience, service offerings, innovative products, and sustainability. Our commitment remains unwavering in providing excellence through tailored solutions crafted specifically for India, ensuring the best possible ownership experience for our customers,” concluded Iyer.

South Korean automotive major Kia India has attained a new milestone of rolling out its 1.5 millionth vehicle – Carens SUV – from its Anantapur facility in Andhra Pradesh. What’s more, the company also announced that it will launch the newest iteration of Kia Carens SUV on 8 May, which it said will be loaded with tech and safety features.

Gwanggu Lee, MD and CEO, Kia India, said, “Rolling out our 1.5 millionth 'Make in India' vehicle is a proud and emotional moment for Kia India and every partner who has been a part of this journey. From the very first Seltos to the 1.5 millionth Carens today, each car stands as a testament to the trust, love, and support of our customers and partners. We are deeply grateful for this association and look forward to continuing our pursuit of automotive excellence. The future of Kia India looks bright as we remain steadfast in driving innovation, offering industry-leading products, and shaping the mobility landscape in India.”

Interestingly, the Anantapur facility has so far manufactured over 700,668 units (46.7 percent) of Seltos, followed by 519,064 units (34.6 percent) of the Sonet, 241,582 units (16.1 percent) of the Carens, 23,036 units (1.5 percent) of the Syros and 16,172 units (1.1 percent) of the Carnival.

Maruti Suzuki India, the country's largest car maker, has announced its financial results for FY2025.

The company, with sales of 2.23 million vehicles, clocked revenue of INR 1,451 billion in FY2025, up 7.5 percent YoY, as against INR 1,349 billion for the same period last year.

The net profit came at INR 139 billion, up 5.6 percent YoY, as against INR 132 billion last year.

During the year, the company recorded its highest-ever annual sales and exports. What’s more, Maruti Suzuki India continued to be the top exporter for the fourth consecutive year with a share of 43 percent of total passenger vehicle exports from the country.

JSW MG Motor India, one of India’s leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has announced that its Hector SUV is now certified for E20 fuel (20 percent Ethanol blended) petrol. The E20 fuel-compliant Hector SUV will be available in 1.5 L Petrol MT and CVT variants, aligning with India’s mandate for E20-compliant petrol-fuelled vehicles manufactured post 1 April 2025. The price for Hector SUV starts at INR 1.39 million (ex-showroom India).

Rakesh Sen, Director Sales, JSW MG Motor India, said, “The enduring popularity of the Hector highlights its outstanding quality and an alignment with our customers' needs. The introduction of the E20-compliant version demonstrates in no uncertain terms our commitment to innovation and sustainability in everything we do. We aim to provide vehicles that not only satisfy customer expectations but also play a vital role in fostering a more greener automotive future.”

Launched in 2019, the MG Hector was touted as the country’s first Internet SUV and offered features such as dual pane panoramic sunroof and a segment-best 14-inch HD infotainment system and more than 70 connected car features.

As part of its ‘Midnight Carnival’ marketing campaign, JSW MG Motor India invites car buyers to visit MG Motor showrooms open until midnight every weekend for a limited time to purchase the Hector SUV. What’s more, 20 lucky MG Hector buyers stand a chance to win a trip to London, along with exclusive benefits worth up to INR 400,000. 

Tata Motors, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has added another feather to its cap with the Nexon.EV extending its 5-star safety rating in Bharat New Car Assessment Program (Bharat NCAP).

The automaker has been actively pursuing safety as a critical parameter in its passenger vehicles, with the Nexon SUV being the first vehicle manufactured in India to have scored 5-star rating at Global NCAP way back in 2018.

Going forward, the company has continued to strengthen its portfolio with actively getting its vehicles assessed in Global NCAP as well as Bharat NCAP protocols.

In June 2024, Tata Motors’ Punch.ev became the first electric vehicle in India to bag the 5-star safety rating in Bharat NCAP. And now, the company continued the tradition with the Nexon.ev continuing to sport the badge of 5-star safety rating.