Pune: Mercedes-Benz India has recorded its strongest-ever quarterly and January-to-September sales performance, delivering 15,190 vehicles during the first nine months of 2026 as demand remained strong across its core luxury, top-end and electric vehicle portfolios.
The German luxury carmaker’s January-September retail sales increased by about 8% from 14,132 units in the corresponding period of 2025, marking the highest nine-month volume in its history in India.
Mercedes-Benz also posted its best-ever quarterly sales in the country during July-September 2026, retailing 5,422 vehicles. That represents a 6% increase from 5,119 units sold during the third quarter of 2025.
Sales in Q3 were also 17% higher than in the preceding April-June quarter, according to the company. Mercedes-Benz attributed the sequential rise partly to festive demand and its Dream Days Campaign, which included new financing products for customers.
All sales figures disclosed by Mercedes-Benz India represent retail sales.
Mercedes-Benz sees growth across luxury segments
The company’s record performance was supported by demand across its Top-End Luxury, Core Luxury and Entry Luxury categories, alongside new model launches and an expansion and upgrade of its retail network.
Santosh Iyer, Managing Director and CEO of Mercedes-Benz India, said:
“Mercedes-Benz continues its outstanding growth story in India, clocking best-ever quarter and highest Jan-Sep sales, driven by exceptional value led customer strategy. Our record sales in each quarter in CY 2026 is a result of our unwavering focus on high product substance, brand exclusivity and elevating customer experience. Our diverse product portfolio mix, new powertrain and elevated customer experience reflects the strong desirability of Mercedes-Benz among India’s most discerning luxury consumers.”
Mercedes-Benz said its Top-End Luxury portfolio grew 13% year-on-year between January and September and accounted for more than 25% of its sales.
The category includes models such as the S-Class, Mercedes-Maybach range, EQS Maybach SUV, G-Class, V-Class and Mercedes-AMG vehicles.
Demand was led by models including the GLS, S-Class, Mercedes-Maybach products and AMG G 63.
The company said its extra-long-wheelbase V-Class was also finding buyers seeking luxury transportation for intercity and airport travel.
Manufaktur personalisation gains ground
Mercedes-Benz said approximately 75% of its Top-End Luxury vehicles sold in India during the period were ordered through its Manufaktur personalisation programme.
The programme allows customers to specify selected materials, colours, design elements and other bespoke details.
The AMG G 63, meanwhile, recorded its highest-ever monthly sales during the period despite continuing to carry a lengthy waiting period, the company said.
Mercedes-AMG’s broader portfolio grew 18% during the first nine months of 2026, reflecting continued demand for high-performance models.
At a time when an ordinary luxury car apparently does not always offer quite enough theatre, AMG and Manufaktur appear to be finding willing audiences.
E-Class remains key sales driver
Mercedes-Benz’s Core Luxury category remained its biggest volume contributor, accounting for about 60% of total sales between January and September.
The segment includes the C-Class, Long Wheelbase E-Class, GLC and GLE, all of which recorded sustained demand during the year.
The Long Wheelbase E-Class remained Mercedes-Benz India’s highest-selling luxury car, according to the company.
The India-specific importance of long-wheelbase luxury models has also helped Mercedes-Benz build a portfolio extending beyond the E-Class, with vehicles such as the GLE, GLS and V-Class playing prominent roles in its sales mix.
The company said the Core Luxury category remained central to its strategy of pursuing value-led rather than purely volume-led growth.
GLA and CLA BEV drive entry segment
Mercedes-Benz’s Entry Luxury portfolio, comprising the GLA SUV and CLA battery-electric vehicle, accounted for roughly 15% of sales during January-September.
Sales in the category increased 4% year-on-year.
The company is positioning the GLA and CLA BEV toward younger luxury buyers, with an emphasis on technology and feature content.
The CLA BEV in particular has emerged as an important model for Mercedes-Benz’s electric vehicle ambitions in India.
CLA BEV receives more than 1,000 orders
Mercedes-Benz said its battery-electric vehicle sales increased 16% during January-September 2026 despite constraints on vehicle availability.
The company has received more than 1,000 confirmed orders for the new CLA BEV, with deliveries now extending as far as March 2027.
That translates into waiting periods of up to six months for some customers.
Mercedes-Benz said demand has been particularly strong among younger buyers, as it seeks to expand its presence in software-defined and technology-focused electric vehicles.
Its higher-end electric models — including the EQS SUV, EQS Maybach SUV and G 580 — also continued to attract customers.
Sales of the EQS Maybach SUV rose 68% year-on-year during the nine-month period.
Electrified S-Class deliveries to begin in October
Mercedes-Benz plans to begin deliveries of the new Electrified S-Class in India from mid-October.
The top-specification Manufaktur Edition has already sold out for the full year, according to the company, although a limited number of Exclusive Line vehicles remain available for customer orders.
Iyer said:
“As Mercedes-Benz’s global product fireworks continues, Indian customers will be highly benefitted from this intense product offensive. While upcoming new product like the GLC BEV has already created high anticipation in the market, deliveries of the much-awaited electrified S-Class will begin this month, strengthening Mercedes-Benz’s unmatched luxury positioning as the ‘most desirable luxury brand’ for discerning luxury dwellers.”
GLC BEV India debut scheduled for November 4
Mercedes-Benz is also preparing to expand its electric line-up with the new GLC BEV, which is scheduled to make its India debut on November 4, 2026.
The model has been named the winner of the German Premium Car of the Year award and will join the company’s growing battery-electric portfolio in India.
Its arrival will come shortly after the start of Electrified S-Class deliveries and forms part of a wider product offensive by Mercedes-Benz.
The combination of growing demand for performance cars, heavily personalised flagship models and battery-electric vehicles suggests India’s luxury market is becoming more diversified rather than simply larger.
Mercedes-Benz’s record 2026 sales so far also underline the importance of India within the global luxury-car market. With the E-Class continuing to provide substantial volume, AMG models gaining ground and new electric products attracting long waiting lists, the company’s next challenge will be maintaining that momentum while ensuring supply can keep pace with demand.
