Luxury Carmakers

Luxury automakers hike prices up to 3% amidst rising material costs

Mercedes-Benz India will revise ex-showroom prices by Rs 2 lakh to Rs 9 lakh, depending on the model

Luxe automakers on top gear to woo buyers in upscale lounge ambience

They are updating dealership networks to offer customers a more luxurious lounge

From EMIs to discounts, luxury car companies switch to festive gear

According to industry analysts, luxury car sales have remained steady, with a slight uptick in vehicle values driving overall revenue growth

Need to have common platform for ease of EV charging: Mercedes-Benz

Luxury carmaker Mercedes-Benz India has pitched for a common platform to provide real-time information about all available charging stations operated by different service providers to make it more convenient for electric vehicle owners. Mercedes-Benz India MD and CEO Santosh Iyer pointed out that the common app would go a long way in enhancing customer convenience and help in pushing electric vehicle adoption in the country. In an interaction with PTI, Iyer noted that there is a need to democratise charging infrastructure for electric vehicles. "Today, if you buy an electric car, you need 3-4 different apps on your phone. What we are requesting the government is to come up with something like a UPI-based system," Iyer said. India is a leader in digital technology, but when it comes to charging, there are still multiple apps, he stated. "They (apps) don't talk to each other...payment gateways are not in sync..if it can be solved the convenience of EVs will be next level," Iyer ...

'People don't buy luxury cars to suffer': SC slams Mercedes for defects

The Supreme Court has provided relief to two companies that had faced problems with luxury cars purchased from Mercedes-Benz

Carmaker Mercedes-Benz India posts record half-yearly sales at 9,262 units

German luxury carmaker Mercedes-Benz on Monday reported a 9 per cent growth in sales at 9,262 units in India in the first half of 2024, its highest ever half-yearly sales in the country, riding on strong demand across categories and availability of volume models. The company had posted sales of 8,528 units in the January-June period of 2023, which was its previous highest half-yearly sales, Mercedes-Benz India said in a statement. It plans to launch six new products in the second half (H2) of 2024. SUV penetration was at 55 per cent in H1 2024, while the TEV (top-end vehicle) segment priced above Rs 1.5 crore comprised 25 per cent of total sales, it added. The SUV segment saw robust performance from the GLA, GLC, GLE and GLS models, while the sedan portfolio comprising the A-Class, C-Class, outgoing LWB E-Class and S-Class topped customer preference for luxury sedans, it added. The BEV (battery electric vehicle) portfolio grew by 60 per cent in H1 24, comprising 5 per cent of tota

US to introduce mandatory emergency braking systems in new cars by 2029

The rule requires that systems detect pedestrians in both daylight and at night. Some small-volume manufacturers will be allowed to comply by September 2030

Nearly one in two luxury cars sold in March quarter was Mercedes Benz

Overall luxury car sales have grown 14% in first three months of 2024

Audi India reports 33% increase in retail sales at 7,027 units in FY24

Luxury carmaker Audi India on Tuesday reported 33 per cent increase in retail sales at 7,027 units for the fiscal ended March 31, 2024. The German automaker had sold 5,275 units in the country in 2022-23 financial year. "We have seen a robust growth of 33 per cent in FY23-24 on the back of a diverse portfolio. Our product portfolio continues to witness strong demand and we are poised to overcome supply challenges," Audi India Head Balbir Singh Dhillon said in a statement. He further said: "Despite ongoing growth in the luxury market, which is tapering off on the back of record-breaking sales in 2023, we are confident about the industry's potential to exceed 50,000 cars in 2024." In the March quarter, the automaker said it retailed 1,046 units in the domestic market. The company encountered challenges related to supply chain disruptions during the first quarter which had an impact on sales. The automaker had retailed 1,950 units in the January -March period of last year. Audi sta

Luxury car sales could breach 50K mark for first time ever: Audi India head

Luxury car sales in India could cross the milestone of 50,000 units for the first time in a year in 2024 amid growing demand for such models, according to Audi India head Balbir Singh Dhillon. The overall domestic luxury car segment grew by 28 per cent annually last year to record sales volume of around 48,500 units. Luxury car volumes in India currently account for less than 2 per cent of the overall passenger vehicle sales annually and the sector has been more or less at the same level for the past decade. "Even if the sales grow by around 10 per cent and we do not face issues like disruptions like issues with global supply chain, we (industry) could cross the 50,000 volume mark in a year for the first time ever in 2024," Dhillon told PTI in an interaction. Audi reported an 89 per cent growth in retail sales in India at 7,931 units last year as compared to a total of 4,187 units in 2022. Similarly, Mercedes-Benz India recorded its best-ever year in its history in India with sale

Expect India to be 3rd largest market among 118 countries: Mercedes-Benz

German carmaker Mercedes-Benz expects India to become its third biggest market in its 'Region Overseas' over the next 2-3 years with demand anticipated to remain strong for luxury products, according to a senior company executive. The Region Overseas for Mercedes Benz comprises 118 countries, excluding North America, Europe and China. India is the fifth largest market in the region after Japan, South Korea, Australia and Turkey. The sales gap between India and Turkey is around 8,000 units per year. "Our Region Overseas markets which encompass 118 markets across the world and India happens to be market number five for us. So you can imagine the relevance and importance it serves not only today, but also for the future of the Mercedes Benz brand," Mercedes-Benz AG Head of Region Overseas, Sagree Sardien told reporters here. When asked about the expected timeframe to achieve the target, she stated, "We are convinced that with the way the Indian market is developing, we should see thi

Red Sea crisis disrupts Audi India's supply chain, firm eyes recovery soon

The situation in the Red Sea is creating supply chain issues for German luxury carmaker Audi, impacting car deliveries to customers in India in the first quarter but recovery is expected in the coming months, according to a senior company official. With electrification on its primary agenda, the company is also evaluating the possibility of assembling electric cars in India, Audi India Head Balbir Singh Dhillon told PTI. "We are also challenged from time to time by various factors. Very recently because of the Red Sea situation there is a supply chain constraint that we're facing in the quarter one of 2024. It is challenging for us in the first quarter but we expect to recover in the coming months," he said. Dhillon was responding to a query on outlook and challenges in 2024. Deliveries to customers for certain models at present have been delayed by a few weeks, he noted. Container vessels have been facing attacks in the Red Sea, one of the most important trade routes in the world

Bullish on India; luxury car penetration expected to remain low: Audi

German auto maker Audi is bullish on India but believes that till the time high taxes rationalise to a lower level, penetration of luxury cars in the country will continue to remain low compared to South East Asian countries, according to a senior company official. Audi expects growth of the luxury car market in India to moderate to low double digits in 2024 compared to around 25 per cent in 2023. "The overall car industry is growing, as well as the luxury segment is growing. Last year was one of the biggest numbers that the industry could achieve, which is also in line with the overall growth of the country," Audi India Head Balbir Singh Dhillon told PTI. He further said, "(India's) GDP is growing, all the parameters that you see for the growth of automotive industry is showing an upward direction. So we believe we are in the right space at a good time and it's time for India and we will continue to grow as well." Dhillon was responding to a query on how Audi is looking at India a

Porsche India posts record best retail sales at 914 units in 2023

Luxury sports car maker Porsche India on Tuesday reported its best retail sales with 914 units in 2023, a growth of 17 per cent over the previous year. The company also fulfilled its commitment of an electric future by recording the highest number of 113 Taycan deliveries to date, Porsche India said in a statement. Besides, a record 65 units of the iconic 911 model were delivered in the same period, it added. Porsche India Brand Director, Manolito Vujicic said,"2023 was another strong year for Porsche India where sales of every model played a significant factor in our encouraging result." He further said it sets a good benchmark for 2024 which will see several new products being launched, as well as further expansion to the retail network. New showrooms will be opened in Pune and Hyderabad in the first half of the year as part of a continuing network expansion, the company added.

BMW India posts record sales of luxury cars, motorcycle at 22,940 units

German automotive group BMW on Thursday reported record sales of its luxury cars and motorcycles in India at 22,940 units in 2023. The automaker sold a total of 14,172 units across BMW and MINI brands last year. It also retailed 8,768 units of motorcycle (BMW Motorrad) in 2023. The company's sales rose by 19 per cent last year as compared to 19,263 units in 2022. "2023 has been a record-breaking milestone year for BMW Group India. All three brands 'BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad' have delivered their highest-ever sales," BMW Group India President Vikram Pawah told reporters here. He noted that the company has successfully retained its leadership in the electric luxury car segment for the second consecutive year. "We continue to set the pace in the Indian electric luxury vehicle market with the most diverse and innovative product range, designed to cater to diverse customer needs," Pahwa said. The BMW iX is the highest-selling luxury electric vehicle in India, he stated. On the sales

Luxury carmaker Lamborghini's Revuelto sold out in India, globally for 2026

The strong demand for Revuelto is being driven by a growing number of new customers, including a 20 per cent increase in first-time buyers in India

Driving the change: Luxury car buyer is getting younger in India

Around 59 per cent of BMW buyers (in the luxury class) are aged between 31 and 45 years, and 35 per cent of its buyers are existing customers

BMW posts record car sales at 9,580 units in India in Jan-Sep period

German luxury vehicle maker BMW Group on Friday reported a 10 per cent rise in total car sales at 9,580 units in India in the first nine months of 2023, driving towards another record sales in the year. The group's three brands -- BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad (two-wheeler) recorded the best-ever January-September period sales in the country, BMW Group India said. The BMW brand clocked 8,998 units in the first nine months of the year, up 10 per cent from the year-ago period, while the MINI brand posted 582 units, also at a growth of 10 per cent. The group's premium motorcycle brand BMW Motorrad registered sales of 6,778 units in the January-September period, rising 26 per cent from the same period a year ago. "After the first half results, which was the best ever first half in our history, quarter three has been even more promising because we knew that we did all the launches in the first quarter of 2023 and all the suppliers ramp up started from the second half of this year...we have

Rolling in luxury: Top-end carmakers spin wheels of bespoke experience

From drifting and slaloming on sheets of ice to bending laws of motorsport physics, auto majors curate thrills beyond the road

Audi India reports 88% growth in sale, beats 2022 sales in first 9 months

The third quarter (July-September) was particularly strong for the company, contributing 37 per cent of the total sales for the year