The A-Class Limousine will play a key role in strengthening Mercedes-Benz’s sedan portfolio and will be one of the key products to be introduced in India in 2020. It will appeal to a younger customer base that is looking for a very stylish saloon, with next generation telematics and infotainment systems combined with a high level of performance and plenty of space for passengers and luggage.

Mercedes-Benz unveiled also the sporty and stylish luxury SUV the new GLA, which had its world premiere in December 2019. The new GLA features an iconic design that redefines its class again. It combines masculine off-roader genes with Mercedes-Benz’s philosophy of sensual purity. The new GLA now has even more powerful proportions and stance that complements its SUV stance.

The new generation GLE ‘hip-hop’ was another product on display. It comes equipped with touch and AI-based voice control, which offers an unrivalled urban and off-road SUV experience.

The recently-unveiled EQC Edition 1886, gave visitors a glimpse of the ecosystem of services, technologies and innovations around electric mobility that can redefine the automotive sector.

Future Technologies

Mercedes-Benz and its largest R&D facility outside Germany, Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India (MBRDI), made an impressive display of innovative products and the future of automobile technology at the Auto Expo. While Mercedes-Benz India launched the unique V-Class Marco Polo and Marco Polo HORIZON luxury vehicles in India and showcased the Volocopter which is the future of sustainable mobility, MBRDI highlighted the cutting-edge research work on Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) undertaken in Bengaluru and also wrapped up the Hackathon 2019. Martin Schwenk, Managing Director and CEO, Mercedes-Benz India, launched Marco Polo, and together with Manu Saale, Managing Director and CEO, MBRDI, unveiled Volocopter, the mobility of the future.

Marco Polo: Marco Polo takes its body design from its base vehicle, the V-Class, giving an impression of unexpectedly generous space, nonetheless showing compact exterior dimensions. Thanks to powerful and efficient engines, the 9G-TRONIC suspension, and high safety standards, Marco Polo is suitable for long journeys though it is easy to drive/handle as a passenger car.

According to Manu Saale, “Luxury and technology are concepts that are so closely linked, that they represent two sides of the same coin. As automobile inventors and innovators, it is imperative for us to come up with breakthrough disruptions in the auto space that set new industry benchmarks while providing convenience, ease and a comprehensive portfolio of choices to our customers. Through our connected car technologies such as the MBUX, our latest concept car VISION AVTR and the trailblazing innovation of the Volocopter, we want to drive our customers into the future.”

Urban Air Mobility: Volocopter wrote history in 2011, when it completed the very first manned flight of an electrically- powered multi-copter. Since then the German company has demonstrated flights in Dubai, Singapore, and Stuttgart. The pioneers in the development of electrical air taxis that take off and land vertically (eVTOLs), Volocopter builds aircraft that are based on drone technology and carry two people. 

MBUX: At the Consumer Electronics Show 2019, Mercedes-Benz launched the new MBUX Interior Assist with its CLA Coupé. The intuitive controls system operates in non-contact mode and recognizes gestures and movements to create a smart and seamless experience for the user, both in sunlight and in complete darkness. Software experts from the Infotainment and Connected Car Department at MBRDI played a key role in the development of MBUX. (MT)

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Vietnamese automaker VinFast Auto India has opened its largest showroom in the country in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. This marks the company’s first dealership in the state and is part of its plan to expand its retail presence across India.

The 4,700 sqft facility, located in Teynampet, is operated by Maansarovar Motors and will display VinFast's upcoming electric SUV models – the VF 6 and VF 7.

Pham Sanh Chau, CEO, VinFast Asia, said “Chennai’s legacy and its thriving ecosystem of innovation, skilled talent and advanced infrastructure make it a natural choice for VinFast’s first-ever dealership in Tamil Nadu, which is also our largest touchpoint across the country. With this dealership, we are proud to deepen our commitment to this dynamic city and bring our premium electric mobility solutions closer to discerning customers in Tamil Nadu. Chennai represents the spirit of progress and through our partnership with Maansarovar Motors, we aim to redefine the EV ownership journey – combining sustainability, technology and world-class service. This marks not just a retail milestone, but a meaningful step toward co-creating a greener, smarter, and future-ready India.”

As part of its expansion plans, the company aims to open 35 dealerships across 27 cities by end-2025. Pre-bookings for the VF 6 and VF 7 began on 15 July with a refundable booking amount of INR 21,000.

VinFast has partnered with RoadGrid, myTVS, and Global Assure to support charging infrastructure and after-sales services. It has also tied up with BatX Energies to promote battery recycling and develop a circular battery value chain.

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Maruti Suzuki India, the leading passenger vehicles manufacturer in the country, has reported its financial results for Q1 FY2026.

The company sold a total of 527,861 vehicles, which comprised 430,889 units in the domestic market and 96,972 units exported. This translated to a sales decline of 4.5 percent in the domestic market, while exports grew by 37.4 percent compared to a year ago.

Maruti Suzuki India’s reported registered net sales of INR 366.2 billion, up 8.11 percent YoY, as compared to INR 338.7 billion last year. The net profit came at INR 371 billion, up 1.7 percent, as compared to INR 364.9 billion last year.

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Hyundai Motor India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers in the country, has reported its financial performance for Q1 FY2026.

The company’s revenue came at INR 164.129 billion, down 5.36 percent YoY, the EBITDA came at INR 21.85 billion, down 6.62 percent YoY, while net profit at INR 13.69 billion was down 8 percent YoY.

Unsoo Kim, Managing Director said, “We continued our stated strategy of ‘Quality of Growth’ in the first quarter of FY 2026 with balance between domestic & exports, market share and profitability. This strategy helped us to sustain strong EBITDA margin of 13.3 percent during the quarter, despite tough macro-economic environment. Moving forward, we anticipate gradual recovery in domestic demand sentiments, driven by onset of monsoon & festive season coupled with government policy measures, while on the exports front, we are confident to maintain a positive momentum, in line with our growth commitments.”

Hyundai Motor India’s performance was affected by a slowdown in its overall volumes both in domestic and exports markets. Factors such as intensifying competition, geopolitical situation and tariff confusion have affected demand.

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Mumbai-headquartered SUV major Mahindra & Mahindra has reported a 24 percent YoY increase in consolidated net profit to INR 40.83 billion for Q1 FY2026, supported by strong performances across its automotive, farm and services businesses.

The consolidated revenue grew 22 percent to INR 455.29 billion in Q1 FY2026, while return on equity stood at 20.6 percent.

During the quarter, the company increased its revenue market share in the SUV segment to 27.3 percent, its LCV market share (up to 3.5 tonnes) to 54.2 percent, and its tractor segment market share to 45.2 percent.

The standalone automotive business recorded a 31 percent increase in revenue to INR 259.99 billion, with profit before interest and tax (PBIT) up 24 percent to INR 22.21 billion. SUV volumes reached 152,000 units, contributing to total vehicle sales of 247,249 units.

The farm equipment sector saw revenue rise 12 percent to INR 108.92 billion, with PBIT up 21 percent at INR 18.19 billion. Tractor volumes grew 10 percent to 132,964 units and standalone PBIT margins improved by 130 bps to 19.8 percent.

In the services segment, Mahindra Finance’s assets under management rose 15 percent, while Tech Mahindra’s EBIT margin increased by 260 bps to 11.1 percent, with a 34 percent jump in net profit.

Dr. Anish Shah, Group CEO & Managing Director, M&M, said, “Q1 FY2026 has been an excellent quarter, with broad-based growth across all our businesses. The operating excellence in our Auto and Farm businesses is evident in continued market share gains and margin expansion. TechM is witnessing momentum on deal wins, sustaining cost discipline and is moving steadily towards its FY2027 margin objectives. MMFSL’s calibrated approach to growth is manifesting in stable asset quality, with GS3 under 4 percent as committed. Our Growth Gems are progressing well on their value creation journeys.”

Rajesh Jejurikar, Executive Director & CEO (Auto and Farm Sector), M&M, said, “Our Auto and Farm businesses continue to lead with strong momentum in Q1 FY2026, with gain of 570 bps YoY in SUV revenue share, and 340 bps YoY in LCV (<3.5T) market share. In Tractors, we gained 50 bps YoY to reach 45.2 percent market share, the highest ever in a quarter. Our Auto Standalone PBIT margin (excl. eSUV contract mfg.) improved by 50 bps to 10 percent and core Tractor PBIT margins improved by 100 bps to 20.7 percent.”

Amarjyoti Barua, Group Chief Financial Officer, M&M, said, “We are pleased with the performance of the group in the quarter, despite several macro challenges including geo-political disruptions. It demonstrates the resilience of the group. With our continued focus on capital discipline & operational metrics, we remain committed to shareholder value creation.”

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