Mercedes-Benz Expands Portfolio with Locally Produced V-Class in Key North India Markets

• The all-new V-Class is launched with an extra-long wheelbase (WB:3430mm L:5370 mm) configuration with a sophisticated 6-seat layout
• V-Class debuts the petrol engine for the first time in India
• V-Class’ AIRMATIC air suspension is specifically developed for Indian road conditions
• Dual Powertrain: Available in both petrol (170 kW / 228 bhp + 15 kW mild hybrid) and diesel (174 kW / 233 bhp) with 9G-TRONIC transmission
• Safest vehicle in its segment: Best-in-class 7 standard airbags (A-to-D pillar window airbags), Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Blind Spot Assist, 360° camera, and driver camera with ATTENTION ASSIST
• Premium Standard Features: AMG Line exterior, first-class luxury seats with massage and ventilation across all three rows, AIRMATIC air suspension, MULTIBEAM LED headlamps, Burmester surround sound, and 7 standard airbags come as standard
• India-First Features: India is the first market globally to offer AIRMATIC air suspension on both petrol and diesel powertrains. The V-Class is also the first vehicle in its class to offer ventilated third-row seats
• The all-new V-Class is available for booking with priority delivery for existing Mercedes-Benz customers.
• The V-Class bookings can be made for Rs. 5 lakhs, which will ensure customers are eligible for the introductory price

India’s most desirable luxury car maker Mercedes-Benz today, launched the all-new V-Class, redefining the strongly evolving private luxury mobility segment in Chandigarh and Punjab markets. The introduction of the V-Class Extra LWB in Chandigarh & Punjab further strengthens Mercedes-Benz’s desirable and diverse product portfolio in one of the country’s important luxury vehicle markets.

Chandigarh and Punjab have been key growth markets for Mercedes-Benz India, with a strong demand for Tep-End Vehicles (TEV) that combine prestige, luxury appointments and cutting-edge technology. The launch of the new V-Class in Chandigarh and Punjab markets reflect the brand’s continued focus on bringing its most desirable global luxury products closer to customers, across high-potential markets in India.

The New V-Class seamlessly combines unparalleled space, luxurious comfort and avant-garde design creating an atmosphere of luxury, space and freedom, providing a serene and composed environment to customers, travelling in the lap of luxury and privacy. Available in the extra-long wheelbase configuration (5,370 mm length, 3,430 mm wheelbase, 1,928 mm width, 1,880 mm height) as standard, the V-Class is designed for those who command their environment and appreciate the freedom to move in unparalleled comfort.

Addressing the growing trend of ‘personal luxury space’, the V-Class represents a new category of luxury mobility: an oasis of personal space, freedom and luxurious comfort for power elites, trendsetters and affluent families, who value exclusivity, privacy and security on the move.

 

With the V-Class, Mercedes-Benz offers discerning customers a ‘Private Suite’, that is designed to transform every journey into a deeply personal experience, creating a curated space on wheels. The V-Class truly becomes a private suite on the move, highly refined, spacious, and shaped around​ the customers individual preferences. Increasingly Indian families are preferring luxury private vehicles for family travel, accompanied by pets and the V-Class is aimed at such families with diverse requirements. The V-Class will be an additional vehicle for these families for whom travelling in luxury, with freedom and privacy remains of utmost importance.

The sophisticated 6-seat layout features first-class luxury individual seats in the second row with 3-stage ventilation and massage, calf support, deployable cupholders, and wireless charging. The third row breaks new ground as the first vehicle in its segment to offer ventilated seats, complemented by 3-point seat belts, ISOFIX child seat anchorage, and USB charging ports. The front row offers electrically adjustable and ventilated seats with cushion length adjustment, establishing a luxurious command centre.

The cabin ambience is elevated by 64-colour ambient lighting, a Burmester® surround sound system with Dolby Atmos offering 15 loudspeakers delivering 640 W of output, THERMOTRONIC automatic climate control, heat-insulating glass with sunblind, and the ENERGIZING Comfort programme with up to ten harmoniously tuned wellness modes including nature soundscapes. Electric sliding doors on both sides can be operated via the key, exterior door handle, driver’s seat, or a button on the door panel, while the electrically operable split tailgate allows easy loading even in tight spaces.

Local Production: Strengthening the ‘Make in India’ Commitment

Mercedes-Benz India will commence local production of the V-Class. This strategic move reinforces the company’s three-decade-long commitment to the Indian market. Mercedes-Benz announced the start of local production of the uber-luxurious Mercedes-Maybach GLS SUV. The V-Class will be the second product Mercedes-Benz announced for local production this year.

Mercedes-Benz Anniversary Year “140 Years of Innovation”

Since Carl Benz filed the patent for the first automobile 140 years ago and Gottlieb Daimler built his motorised carriage shortly afterwards, Mercedes‑Benz has dedicated itself to constantly innovate and to create the world’s most desirable cars for customers. This ambition has driven every innovation – from the world's first automobile in 1886 to today's intelligent and safe electric vehicles, like the all-new GLC and the award-winning all-new CLA. With the new S-Class, the company continues the biggest product launch programme in its history. With its passion for performance and pioneering power, excellence and an unwavering commitment to customer service, the brand has consistently shaped the future of mobility. The result goes well beyond engineering achievement – it creates the unmistakable feeling that leads through everything Mercedes‑Benz does: Welcome home.

Mercedes-Benz is celebrating 140 years of innovation by driving three new S-Class saloons on a trans-continental journey to 140 locations worldwide. Each place highlights the brand’s technology, heritage, pioneering spirit and worldwide presence. Along the way customers, fans and colleagues will get to join in the celebrations - on an epic adventure that will run until October. Follow the “140 Years. 140 Places” drive across six continents on our “140 years of innovation | Mercedes-Benz Media” special and via the Mercedes-Benz Community.

About Mercedes-Benz India:

Mercedes-Benz India pioneered the luxury car market in India, completing 30 years of Indian operations in 2024. Mercedes-Benz’s world-class production facility set up in 2009, is spread over 100 acres in Chakan near Pune. Mercedes-Benz India is part of Mercedes-Benz’s Global Production Network and plays an important role in the CKD production network. The production facility carries an investment of more than INR 3000 crores and has the largest installed production capacity for any luxury carmaker in India. Mercedes-Benz India has the largest luxury network spread amongst any luxury carmaker, with over 140 luxury touchpoints spread across 50+ cities. Through the exclusive AMG Performance Centres, Mercedes-Benz boasts of a strong AMG retail network presence in the country. Mercedes-Benz India has a robust product portfolio comprising the locally produced A-Class, C-Class, E-Class Long Wheelbase, S-Class, Mercedes Maybach S 580 limousine and the all-new V-Class, along with the electric vehicles– EQS 580 sedan, and EQS SUV 450. Mercedes-Benz is the only luxury brand to locally manufacture 2 BEVs in India. The ‘Made in India’ SUV range starts with the GLA, GLC, GLE, and GLS range of luxury SUVs. The Completely Built imported cars portfolio (CBU) includes the G 450d, GLS Maybach and the exciting AMG range comprising the AMG A 45 S to the AMG GT 63 S E-Performance. Mercedes-Benz also pioneered the luxury BEV segment in India and comprises a strong portfolio including the ‘Made in India’ EQS 580 sedan, EQS 580 SUV and 450 SUV, along with EQA 250+, EQB SUVs, EQE 500 4MATIC SUV, Mercedes-Maybach EQS 680 SUV, and G580 with EQ Technology. Mercedes-Benz India introduced the innovative customer-centric ‘direct to customer’ business model in India, as one of the first markets to rollout this business model, redefining customer experience.

Mercedes-Benz India clocks its best-ever fiscal with 18,928 cars retailed in FY 24-25; Q1 2025 sales at 4775 Units

Strong demand continues for Mercedes-Benz’s Top-End Luxury and BEV portfolio
Debut in key emerging markets planned, with state-of-the-art sales and service facilities in Agra, Kanpur, Varanasi and Jammu in Q2 2025 | New state-of-art luxury 3S facility in Bengaluru and a world-class Service Centre in Hyderabad inaugurated | Rs. 450 crores investment from Franchise Partners in next 3 years.

 
“Mercedes-Benz continues to be the most desirable luxury car brand in India, with nearly one in two German luxury cars sold in India, being a Mercedes-Benz. The desirability is driven by the unwavering commitment of our Franchise Partners in offering customers luxury of choice with new desirable products, differentiating service and a delightful retail experience. Our focus on strengthening the Top-End Luxury segment is highly successful, buoyed by the overwhelming response to the S-Class, the Mercedes-Maybach Night Series, the G 580 with EQ Technology and the EQS SUV. Our BEV growth has been accelerating fast, with high sales penetration.” “Mercedes-Benz will continue its major network upgradation and expansion with an investment of Rs. 450 crores from Franchise Partners, aimed at enhancing the brand’s footprint in emerging and in existing metropolis, offering latest global luxury standards in retail. As a fundamentally strong brand, we are confident of the mid to long term prospect of the Indian market, pursuing a value-oriented sales approach, aimed at customer delight and business sustainability.” Santosh Iyer, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India

• Mercedes-Benz India grew by 4% in FY 24-25 its best-ever fiscal, despite decline in Entry Luxury Segment: Overall growth was driven by 34% increase in Top-End and 51% increase in BEV sales, in FY 24-25
• Q1 25 sales at 4775 units, declined by 11.8% mainly driven by the decline of Entry Luxury segment by 28%. Top-End Luxury segment however grew by 6% in Q1 25, underlining a clear customer preference for Top-End Luxury products
• More than 1 out of 4 cars sold by Mercedes-Benz India in FY 24-25 and Q1 25, was a ‘Top-End Luxury’ vehicle like the S-Class, Mercedes-Maybach, AMG G 63
• BEV growth at 51% led to a penetration of 7% of total sales in FY 24-25, and 8% penetration in Q1 25, underlines the increasing trend of BEV acceptance 
• Strong response to the EQS SUV, making it the highest selling BEV for Mercedes-Benz
• LWB E-Class is the highest selling model driven by the dynamic E 450 variant
• Waiting period for select ‘Top-End’ luxury vehicles like G63 AMG and Mercedes- Maybach S[1]Class have gone up to 12 months
• Mercedes-Benz to inaugurate world-class luxury MAR 20X outlets in key emerging markets like Kanpur, Varanasi and Jammu in Q2 2025. Mercedes-Benz debuted in Agra, last week
• 21 New MAR 20X outlets planned in 2025, with investment of Rs. 450+ cr from Franchise Partners in next three years
• Strong demand for SUV portfolio comprising GLA, GLC, GLE, GLS and G-Class | SUV penetration at 60% of total sales volume in FY 24-25

India’s most desirable luxury car maker Mercedes-Benz today announced its best-ever fiscal sales with 18,928 new Mercedes-Benz retailed. The company also retailed 4,775 new Mercedes-Benz in the January to March 2025 period. Mercedes-Benz sales was primarily driven by new product launches, qualitative network upgradation and elevating customer experiences. Mercedes-Benz India’s ‘Desire to Exceed’ market strategy reflected in growing customer loyalty and increasing desirability of the brand in the Indian market. Strong performance of the Core and Top-End Luxury segment remained the highlight of last fiscal and Q1 2025 sales, and was complemented by a strong acceleration in the BEV growth and its increased penetration.

Robust demand for the Top-End Luxury segment: The key highlight for Mercedes-Benz India’s fiscal 24-25 and Q1 25 sales had been the strong and consistent demand for its Top-End Luxury segment comprising the likes of S-Class, Mercedes-Maybach, EQS SUV and the AMG range. Top-End Luxury segment sales grew by 34% in FY 24-25 with robust demand for S-Class, Mercedes-Maybach Night Series, G 580 with EQ Technology, EQS SUV and the iconic AMG G 63.

In Q1 2025 more than 1 out of 4 cars sold in India by Mercedes-Benz remained a ‘Top-End Luxury’ vehicle. Waiting period for the Top-End Luxury segment ranges from 4 months, and up to a year for the iconic AMG G 63.

Consistent traction driving the ‘Core’ segment:

Mercedes-Benz’s ‘Core’ segment remained the highest contributor to its sales in FY 24-25 and in Q1 2025. The Core segment comprising C-Class, E-Class LWB sedans, the GLC and GLE SUVs continued to drive customer desire and loyalty, contributing a significant share in the overall sales volumes of Mercedes-Benz.

In Q1 2025, the success of the E-Class LWB (now available with a dynamic E 450 variant) continued, with very high customer traction across all markets. The Long Wheelbase E-Class remains the highest selling luxury car in India.

Entry Luxury Segment: Mercedes-Benz ‘Entry Luxury’ offers product substance, having higher value for luxury customers. In Q1 2025, Mercedes-Benz ‘Entry Luxury Segment’ declined by 28%, in a segment primarily dominated by products at a lower price point with high market offering. Mercedes-Benz products are feature rich and fully loaded, underlining a value-oriented sales approach, that caters to growing customer aspirations.

Strong demand for BEV:

Mercedes-Benz BEV portfolio grew by a robust 51% in FY 24-25 fiscal, with a penetration of 7% of total sales. BEV sales growth underlined the continued strong response to the entire portfolio, highlighted with the highest ever customer deliveries for the EQS SUV.

Q1 25 sales also witnessed a similar strong demand for the BEV portfolio with very positive response to the ‘Made in India’ EQS SUV 580 and EQS SUV 450, pushing the BEV penetration to 8% in Q1 25.

The BEVs particularly witnessed significant growth at the ‘Top-End Luxury’ spectrum, with high demand for the EQS Maybach Night Series and the stunning G 580 SUV with EQ Technology. The waiting period for both these vehicles extend up to 12 months.

Major Retail Network expansion planned in Q2 2025:

Mercedes-Benz India, as part of its ‘Go to Customer’ strategy, has major Retail Network expansion planned in Q2 2025. As part of market expansion, Mercedes-Benz will expand its retail network to 21 world-class MAR20X outlets in new emerging markets, as well in existing metropolis of New Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Chennai, with an investment of Rs. 450 crores from Franchise Partners in next three years. Mercedes-Benz will also debut in key emerging markets of Kanpur, Jammu, Varanasi, Udaipur and Patna among other markets. A state-of-art modern luxury facility was inaugurated in Agra last week.

(All sales figures of Mercedes-Benz India are that of retail sales)

Infosys Inks 5-Yrs Deal with Smart Europe Gmbh, Owned by Smart e-Car JV of Mercedes-Benz and China’s Geely

Indian IT & digital services major Infosys, on Thursday, announced that it has signed a 5-year collaboration with automotive marquee smart Europe GmbH, a wholly owned subsidiary of smart Automobile Co. Ltd. (Smart), which is a global smart joint venture between Geely Holding (Geely) and Mercedes-Benz AG (Mercedes-Benz).

With this deal Infosys will refine Smart Europe's Direct-to-Customer (D2C) business model in Europe and provide enhanced customer experience, data-driven personalization and engagement for the existing model smart #1, the newly announced smart #3, and other upcoming all-electric models, from the smart e-Cars maker.

With a goal to position itself as a leading provider of intelligent electric vehicles in the premium segment, smart Europe was founded in June 2020, as a wholly owned subsidiary of smart Automobile Co., Ltd., to supply, sell and service future smart vehicles in the European market.

Based in Leinfelden-Echterdingen, near Stuttgart, smart Europe’s international team is responsible for all sales, marketing and after-sales activities for the next generation of smart vehicles, products and services of the brand in the European market.

Through this strategic collaboration, Infosys will help smart Europe GmbH redefine the online EV buying experience and apply state-of-the-art Machine Learning (ML) models to accurately forecast sales and aftersales demand.

Infosys was chosen to assist the premium EV maker in this transformation for its deep expertise in enabling consolidation across automotive sales and e-commerce processes and systems.

To enable smart Europe GmbH derive exceptional value from software, data, and cloud investments, Infosys will leverage its trusted process, functional and technical expertise, complemented by a design thinking-led consulting approach. Infosys will also help smart Europe GmbH to efficiently sell electric vehicles across 15 European countries with a D2C sales approach and secure engagement across lead generation, prospect conversion, sales and aftersales channels, supplemented by end-to-end ownership and accountability.

Dirk Adelmann, Chief Executive Officer, smart Europe GmbH, said, “We are pleased to have Infosys as our partner on this journey. Infosys’ strong leadership commitment backed by its ability to drive end-to-end application development and maintenance with efficiency and effectiveness, will help us boost our operational performance and user experience.”

Jasmeet Singh, EVP and Global Head of Manufacturing, Infosys, said, "We are delighted to deliver our cutting-edge technologies to innovative companies like smart Europe GmbH to help ramp up their competitiveness in the European market. Infosys has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to powering innovation-driven customer experiences across touchpoints through our automotive and mobility offerings. Leveraging a blend of our expertise in the domain and strong regional presence, we will help smart Europe GmbH fast-track the adoption of cutting-edge digital solutions. The success of this engagement will be a real game changer for both smart Europe GmbH and Infosys in the electric mobility era.”

Reliance Partners Mercedes-Benz Sister Co. To Unveil India's 1st Hydrogen-powered Intercity Luxury Concept Coach

Mukesh Ambani led Reliance Industries has partnered with BharatBenz, a subsidiary of Mercedes-Benz’s sister company Daimler Truck AG to unveil India's first intercity luxury concept coach powered by Hydrogen Fuel Cell technology.

The Hydrogen-powered concept coach was showcased at the 4th Energy Transitions Working Group meeting under India’s G20 Presidency in Goa.

Currently in the concept stage, the upcoming hydrogen-powered bus will undergo extensive testing for the next 12 months and the bus will develop around 300bhp, making it suitable for intercity applications.

Visit India's first Hydrogen Fuel Cell inter-city luxury coach, a collaboration between #BharatBenz & Reliance Industries, that is on display for the 14th Clean Energy Ministerial and 8th Mission Innovation Meeting at Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukerjee Indoor Stadium until July 22nd. pic.twitter.com/75a8WhJy25

— BharatBenz (@BharatBenz1) July 20, 2023

The coach is powered by a fuel cell system designed and developed by Reliance Industries using state-of-the-art components from international partners with significant localization, said Nitin Seth, chief executive officer- new mobility, Reliance Industries Ltd, in a LinkedIn post.

The H2-powered bus delivers a gross system power of 127 Kw and net power of 105 Kw, which is equivalent to 300 HP in line with current diesel bus for intercity applications. The intercity bus can travel approximately 400 km on single hydrogen fill and can bring long distance travel between cities on clean fuel like Hydrogen.

Earlier this year in February, Reliance Industries unveiled India's first Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine technology solution for heavy-duty trucks, which was flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the India Energy Week in Bangalore.

Mercedes-Benz India to Implement D2C Sales Model Starting October 2021

Announcing a major shift in its retail strategy for our market, Mercedes-Benz India has unveiled its new ‘Retail of the Future’ (ROTF) direct-to-consumer (D2C) sales model, which is set to be implemented from October 2021, that aims to increase transparency between the luxury carmaker and its customers, as well as aid Mercedes-Benz's dealers/franchise partners.

Under D2C business model, Mercedes-Benz India will own the entire centralized vehicle stock and will directly invoice a purchase to the buyer, in addition to handling order processing and fulfilment.

The most notable change for the customers, under D2C model, will be that they will be purchasing the car from Mercedes-Benz, which means their cars will be invoiced directly from the carmaker and not the dealers. This will also mean that all customers across India, will be offered the same prices, negating the need to negotiate with dealers to match one another's prices.

For the dealers, this new sales model will only be applicable to the sale of new cars and will not change the functioning of the other sections of the business, such as customer services, pre-owned cars and accessories business.

Dealers will continue to be the point of contact for customers as they will facilitate the purchase, the benefit for them will be that they own no inventory under this business model, and hence benefit from a lower cost structure and carry little market-facing risk. They will be directly compensated by Mercedes-Benz India for vehicle sales, and will continue to develop local market requirements, retail marketing activities, lead generation and manage customer relationships. There will be no change to existing dealer infrastructure.

With Mercedes-Benz India making the entire pool of cars in stock available to buyers, prospective customers will benefit from a single price for every model across the country, and also have a wider variety of models and specifications to choose from, as they won’t be bound by the options available at a particular dealership.