German luxury brand Mercedes-Benz India has reported its strongest ever start to a fiscal year, retailing 4,238 new vehicles between April and June 2025 (Q1 FY2026), marking a 10 percent YoY growth.

The company shared that its performance in Q1 was primarily driven by robust demand for its Core and Top-End Luxury segments.

The Top-End Luxury segment proved to be a significant highlight, experiencing a 20 percent growth. This category includes models such as the S-Class, Mercedes-Maybach range, EQS products and AMG performance vehicles. Notable demand was seen for the S-Class, Mercedes-Maybach Night Series, G 580 with EQ Technology, EQS SUV and the iconic AMG G 63. The limited-edition AMG G 63 'Collector’s Edition' has already garnered an overwhelming response, and the recently launched AMG GT 63 PRO is reportedly sold out for the remainder of the year.

The Core segment, comprising the C-Class, E-Class LWB saloons and the GLC and GLE SUVs, contributed 60 percent to total sales volume and grew by 10 percent. The E-Class LWB continues to be India's highest-selling luxury car, further boosted by the introduction of the E450 performance variant.

While the Entry Luxury segment saw a marginal decline due to intense competition from lower-priced offerings, Mercedes-Benz emphasised the feature-rich and value-oriented approach of these products.

Mercedes-Benz's BEV portfolio witnessed an outstanding 157 percent growth in Q1, increasing its penetration to 8 percent of total sales. This surge was predominantly driven by the Top-End Luxury BEVs, with the EQS SUV, EQS Maybach Night Series and the G 580 SUV with EQ Technology seeing record demand. Waiting periods for the EQS Maybach and G 580 with EQ Technology currently extend up to six months.

The luxury car maker stated that this record-breaking quarter was achieved despite various micro-economic hurdles, including fluctuating foreign exchange rates, price increases and competitive market dynamics, particularly within the entry-luxury segment. Mercedes-Benz attributes its success in the higher-end categories to a growing consumer preference for exclusive, hyper-personalised and premium vehicles.

Santosh Iyer, MD & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India, said, “Mercedes-Benz kick-starts the current fiscal with best-ever sales performance, registering 10 percent growth. This strong sales performance is buoyed by the robust demand for our portfolio, particularly for the top-end luxury and BEV segments, highlighting a growing customer preference for exclusive luxury vehicles with hyper-personalisation and customisation. We are equally thrilled with the outstanding momentum of our BEV portfolio, driven by top-end BEVs like the EQS SUV, EQS Maybach and the G 580 with EQ technology."

"Our sharp focus on bolstering the Top-End Luxury has been highly successful in influencing customer preferences and differentiating Mercedes-Benz as the most desirable luxury brand in India. Launch of the GLS AMG Line, reiterates Mercedes-Benz’s focus on enriching the top-end luxury portfolio with new products. The GLS has been Mercedes-Benz’s top-selling ‘Large Size Luxury SUV’ with more than 16,000 units on Indian roads. The addition of the New GLS AMG Line will further bolster Mercedes-Benz’s SUV portfolio, accentuating the strong DNA of the GLS, with a road presence and grandeur that is unparalleled. With AMG styling GLS becomes sporty and expressive in design, completely redefining the segment with space, performance and ride comfort, in the most commanding way,” concluded Iyer.

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Toyota Kirloskar Motor, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has announced significant upgrades to its popular hatchback the Toyota Glanza.

The company has announced that all variants of the Toyota Glanza will now come standard with six airbags. As part of its move to provide comprehensive protection for both drivers and passengers in the urban-centric vehicle.

In addition to the safety upgrade, Toyota Kirloskar Motor has introduced a limited-period ‘Prestige Package.’ This accessory bundle, available from June until 31 July 2025, includes dealer-fitted enhancements such as premium door visors, body side moulding with chrome and black accents, rear lamp garnish, chrome garnishes for ORVMs and fenders, a rear skid plate, illuminated door sills and lower grille garnish.

The Toyota Glanza, celebrating six years in India with over 200,000 units sold, continues to be recognised for its dynamic styling, fuel efficiency and advanced features. Powered by a 1.2-litre K-Series petrol engine, it has a claimed fuel efficiency of 22.94 kmpl (AMT) and 30.61 km/kg (CNG). Key features include a 9-inch infotainment system, Head-Up Display (HUD), 360-degree camera and Toyota i-Connect with over 45 connected features.

The Glanza also boasts a robust TECT body structure and other safety features like Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and Hill Hold Assist. It comes with a 3-year/100,000 km warranty, extendable up to 5 years/220,000 km, along with Toyota's 60-minute Express Maintenance service and 24/7 roadside assistance.

The updated Toyota Glanza starts at an ex-showroom price of INR 690,000.

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Kia India, a leading manufacturer of passenger vehicles, has appointed Atul Sood as Senior Vice-President – Sales & Marketing, effective 11 July 2025. Reporting to Joonsu Cho, Chief Sales Officer, Kia India, he will be responsible for leading the brand’s nationwide sales strategy and operations.

With over 3 decades of experience in the automotive industry, Sood was most recently the President and Director at Toyota Mobility Solutions and Services India.

He is credited to having grown the business across the country, including dealer expansion and customer centric innovation. He also held senior roles at Toyota Kirloskar Motors and Toyota Motor Asia Pacific previously.

Gwanggu Lee, Managing Director and CEO, Kia India, said, "We are thrilled to welcome Atul Sood to Kia India family. His deep industry expertise and strategic acumen will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen our market position and enhance customer satisfaction. We look forward to his leadership and contribution in driving the next phase of our growth journey."

Atul Sood, said, “I am excited to join Kia India at such a dynamic time in its evolution. Kia has established itself as a forward-thinking and customer-focused brand and it’s commitment to innovation and customer delight resonates strongly with me. I am looking forward to working with the team to deliver exceptional value and drive sustainable growth across the country.”

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South Korean auto major Hyundai Motor Company has revealed the IONIQ 6 N at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, marking the latest step in its electric high-performance vehicle development. The model is designed around Hyundai N’s three core pillars – cornering capability, racetrack performance and everyday usability.

The IONIQ 6 N is powered by dual motors producing 478 kW (650 PS) and 770 Nm of torque in boost mode, delivering 0–100 kmph acceleration in 3.2 seconds and a top speed of 257 kmph. It uses an 84.0 kWh high-voltage battery, which can be charged from 10 percent to 80 percent in approximately 18 minutes under optimal conditions using a 350 kW charger. A new N Battery system supports various track driving scenarios with improved thermal management and reduced conditioning time.

Jose Munoz, President and CEO, Hyundai Motor Company, said, “With IONIQ 6 N, Hyundai N aims to elevate its offerings, enticing drivers with electric powertrains that offer high-performance enthusiasts a thrilling new avenue to electrify their passion both on the road and the track.”

Engineering upgrades include a reworked suspension geometry, stroke sensing electronically controlled dampers and a chassis tuned for high-speed stability and improved grip. Braking is managed by 400mm front and 360mm rear discs, supported by up to 0.6 G regenerative braking. Aerodynamic enhancements such as a swan neck rear wing and wider fenders aid high-speed cornering stability. The vehicle achieves a drag coefficient of 0.27.

Key performance features include N e-Shift, which simulates internal combustion gear shifts, N Launch Control, N Grin Boost for short bursts of full power, N Drift Optimiser with configurable settings and adjustable front-rear torque distribution across 11 levels. The IONIQ 6 N also features N Pedal for agile cornering and TPMS Custom Mode for targeted tyre pressure settings.

Driver engagement is further supported by the N Active Sound+ system with multiple sound profiles and the N Ambient Shift Light, which visually signals optimal gear shift points. The N Track Manager allows users to log, monitor and analyse track performance.

The IONIQ 6 N will be available in six colours, including a new Performance Blue Pearl, and a black interior with Performance Blue accents. It will also be offered with N performance parts for further personalisation.

Hyundai showcased the model alongside others from the N lineup during the Goodwood event, including the IONIQ 5 N, i30 N, and various motorsport vehicles, culminating in a coordinated demonstration run.

Manfred Harrer, Executive Vice-President and Head of Vehicle Development Tech Unit, Hyundai Motor Company, said, “IONIQ 6 N combines formidable power, sophisticated battery management, aerodynamic mastery and advanced suspension systems to deliver a compelling blend of speed, stability and comfort, setting new benchmarks in modern automotive engineering.”

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German luxury brand BMW India has opened bookings for the new BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, which is set to be launched on 17 July 2025.

The car is set to be produced at BMW Group Plant in Chennai. Priced at INR 4.4 million, it features a 1.5-litre, 3-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, delivering 156 hp between 4,900-6,000 rpm and 230 Nm of peak torque from 1,500-4,600 rpm. This engine is paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. It boasts a claimed fuel efficiency of 16.35 kmpl, a top speed of 230 kmph, and can accelerate from zero to 100 kmph in 8.6 seconds.

In its second generation, the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe sports a more striking design and enhanced sporty appeal. Its revamped interior sports youthfulness and is designed with the driver in mind.

Targetted towards the new-age customers, the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe gets a host of smart and innovative features, such as the BMW Widescreen Curved display, digital services based on the BMW Operating System 9.

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