Mercedes-Benz India clocks best-ever June, Q2 and H1 2017 sales

Mercedes-Benz India has announced that it has sold 7,171 vehicles in the January-June 2017 period (+8.7 percent). This is the brand’s highest ever half-yearly (H1) volume (January-June 2016: 6,597 units). Autocar Professional had estimated the same total in a news report yesterday.

In an official statement today, the German luxury carmaker has said that it has registered its best-ever June, Q2 and half-yearly sales, buoyed by reviving positive customer sentiments and an attractive product portfolio. Continuing its growth momentum from Q1 2017, it has posted strong 18 percent growth in Q2 2017 (April-June 2017) with sales of 3,521 units.

Commenting on the sales numbers, Roland Folger, managing director and CEO, Mercedes-Benz India, said, “We continue our leadership position in the Indian luxury car market. Having set the sales momentum in Q1 2017, we are glad to better ourselves with an impressive Q2 sales performance, which grew by a robust 18 percent. This sales performance further strengthens our customer-centric strategy, which is bearing fruit. We are confident of our leadership in the market by sustaining this growth story in the remaining quarters as well."

"The demand for the Long Wheelbase E-Class in particular has contributed immensely to our volumes. It is most satisfying to witness that our product introductions were highly appreciated by customers leading to a steady growth across the NGCs, sedans, SUVs and the performance cars,” Folger added.  

The E-class sedan, recently voted ‘World Luxury Car of the Year’, remains the highest single selling model for the brand in January-June 2017 period.

The luxury SUV segment comprising the GLA, GLC, GLE and the GLS grew strongly and recorded robust 31 percent growth in H1 2017. The GLC remained the best-selling SUV in Mercedes-Benz’s portfolio in H1 2017, closely followed by the GLE, GLA and the GLS. 

The company says demand for its New Generation Cars, in particular the CLA and the GLA continues across markets. The launch of the new GLA is expected to drive the demand of this SUV even further.

Folger said, “Mercedes-Benz India is on the right track with its long-term objective of achieving a sustained and profitable growth for our business in India. Our continued sales success, firmly underscores the acceptance of our go-to customer approach. Mercedes-Benz remains distinct in terms of offering continuous product innovations, having the largest luxury car production facility, extending a continuously innovative and enriching aftersales experience and also strengthening our extensive network footprint. With some of the most awaited products in the pipeline for the remaining two quarters, coupled with the market availability of the long wheelbase E 220d and the new GLA, the remaining two quarters will be exciting for the customers and the brand.”

With this H1 performance, the German carmaker looks well set for record calendar year sales as demand for luxury vehicles in India is set to accelerate following the implementation of Goods and Service Tax (GST), which has seen luxury vehicle prices drop considerably. In 2016, Mercedes-Benz India had sold a total of 13,231 units. 

Also read: Mercedes-Benz posts best-ever half-year, sells over 1.1m cars globally (+13.7%)