New Delhi: Mercedes-Benz India recorded its highest-ever first-half sales in 2026, retailing 9,768 vehicles between January and June, an increase of 9% from 9,013 units in the corresponding period last year.
The luxury carmaker also reported its best-ever second-quarter performance, with retail sales rising 10% to 4,637 units during April-June 2026, compared with 4,238 vehicles in the same quarter of 2025.
Sales were supported by the introduction of the new CLA battery-electric vehicle, demand for the V-Class and steady volumes across the company’s core and top-end luxury portfolios.
Mercedes-Benz said favourable macroeconomic conditions, upgrades to its retail network and a greater focus on customer experience also contributed to the record performance.
Top-end luxury vehicles account for 28% of sales
Demand was particularly strong for Mercedes-Benz’s Top-End Luxury portfolio, which includes the S-Class, Mercedes-Maybach models, the EQS SUV, Mercedes-AMG vehicles and the new V-Class.
Sales in the category grew by more than 20% during the first half of 2026 and accounted for a record 28% of Mercedes-Benz India’s overall volumes.
The company attributed the increase partly to a growing preference among younger and ultra-high-net-worth customers for moving directly into more expensive models, rather than beginning at the entry end of the luxury market. In other words, some buyers appear increasingly willing to skip the appetiser and head straight for the main course.
Waiting periods for top-end models currently range from four months to as long as one year. The Mercedes-AMG G 63 is among the vehicles carrying the longest wait.
Mercedes-AMG sales rose 50% during the six-month period, indicating strong demand for high-performance luxury cars.
CLA EV lifts entry-luxury sales
Mercedes-Benz’s Entry Luxury segment grew 29% in the second quarter, driven by demand for the new CLA BEV and the GLA SUV.
The CLA BEV was sold out within days of its market introduction, according to the company, with customers facing a waiting period of five to six months.
Santosh Iyer, Managing Director and CEO of Mercedes-Benz India, said:
“Mercedes-Benz’s strong growth in first half of 2026 underlines the success of our strategy rooted in offering desirable products, elevated customer experience and transforming our network with clear focus on getting closer to customers. The new V-Class and CLA BEV drove our best-ever H1 and Q2 sales, underpinning superior product substance, reconfirming Mercedes customers’ preference for value over entry price points.”
“The success of the new CLA BEV is an affirmation that Mercedes-Benz customers prefer owning the latest technology, with the car being sold out within few days of market introduction, customers willing to wait till 5-6 months, to proudly own the car which is truly distinctive and a ‘Class of its Own’. The CLA BEV has propelled Mercedes-Benz’s BEV penetration to reach 14% in Q2 2026.”
“H1 2026 has shown increased preference for our Topend Vehicles, with the share of TEVs now reaching an all-time high of 28%, fueled by the introduction and growing demand for the New V-Class and the 50% growth trajectory achieved by the AMG portfolio.”
Electric vehicles reach 14% of quarterly sales
Battery-electric vehicles accounted for 14% of Mercedes-Benz India’s total retail sales during the second quarter, twice the penetration recorded earlier, the company said.
Electric vehicles represented 25% of all top-end Mercedes-Benz models sold during the first half. Sales of top-end BEVs priced above ₹1.4 crore increased 85% in the second quarter.
The EQS SUV remained Mercedes-Benz India’s highest-selling electric vehicle in the top-end category, while the CLA led demand at the entry-luxury end.
The company said the CLA’s reception in India follows strong demand for the model in Europe and Germany. The electric CLA was named Europe’s “Car of the Year 2026”, according to the press release.
Mercedes-Benz is also preparing to expand its global electric portfolio with models including the electric GLC and GLB, while an all-electric C-Class is scheduled to make its world premiere later in July.
Demand has also emerged for semi-electrified models such as the new S-Class plug-in hybrid. Bookings for the S-Class AMG Line have closed, while orders for the Exclusive Line are being accepted for deliveries during the festive period.
E-Class remains the volume leader
The company’s Core segment, comprising the C-Class, long-wheelbase E-Class, GLC and GLE, continued to account for a substantial share of overall volumes.
The long-wheelbase E-Class remained Mercedes-Benz India’s highest-selling luxury car, with the company reporting particularly strong demand for the higher-specification E450 variant.
The new V-Class has also begun reaching customers. Mercedes-Benz has positioned the luxury people mover as a “private suite” offering additional space and privacy.
The initial batch has been delivered, while bookings are scheduled to reopen in July 2026. Deliveries from the next allocation are expected during the upcoming festive season.
Five new outlets planned in emerging markets
Mercedes-Benz India plans to inaugurate five luxury outlets in key emerging markets during the third quarter, including its first facility in Varanasi.
The expansion forms part of the company’s “Go to Customer” strategy, under which it intends to establish more than 20 outlets across emerging locations and major metropolitan regions during 2026.
Mercedes-Benz added six customer touchpoints across Bengaluru, Bhopal, Raipur, Goa and Visakhapatnam during the first half of the year.
Further outlets are planned in Mumbai, Pune, Delhi-NCR and Hyderabad during the second half, alongside upgrades to existing facilities and the introduction of retail technologies involving artificial intelligence and automation.
Mercedes-Benz franchise partners are expected to invest more than ₹450 crore in the retail network over the next two years.
The record first-half performance indicates that India’s luxury-car market continues to draw demand at both the electric and top-end ends of the spectrum. For Mercedes-Benz, sustaining the momentum will depend on vehicle availability, timely deliveries and whether customers remain willing to join waiting lists that, for some models, are becoming nearly as exclusive as the cars themselves.
