Mercedes-Benz India has reported its best ever Q1 sales having 4556 units in January-March 2018. That’s an average of 50 cars each day. The numbers cement the car-maker’s fiscal sales at 16,236 units. Growth through Q1 2018 is up 24.8 percent over 3,650 units sold in Q1 2017.
Growth for the FY is reported at 22.5 percent, up from 13,259 units sold in FY16-17. The company ended 2017 with 15,330 units sold at 16 percent YoY growth.
The GLC leads SUV growth with double digit growth in Q1 2018. The all-new Long Wheelbase E-Class continues to be popular. Mercedes-Benz luxury SUV portfolio (GLA, GLC, GLE, GLC Coupe, GLE Coupe and GLS) grew in double digits Q1 2017. The C-Class is a key volume contributor for Q1 2018.
To sustain growth through 2018, Mercedes-Benz has 10 launches planned. As it stands, Mercedes-Benz GLS Grand Edition, Mercedes S-Class facelift, and Mercedes-Maybach S650 have been launched in the first three months of the year.
Roland Folger, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India said, “2018 began with a positive note for the brand, though the spike in Q1 sales can be
attributed to the advancement of sales due to the impending price correction, triggered primarily by the increase in basic custom’s duty. It might be a challenge to sustain this momentum in the coming quarters and we are cautiously optimistic. As the luxury industry volumes are comparatively low, the focus should remain on helping the industry grow by creating demand. A rise in demand would translate in increased production and thus, lead to significant revenue generation, and would support the ‘Make in India’ initiative.”
Mr. Folger added, “We are extremely excited to witness the strong performance of our mainstay models, the C-, E-, S-Class and the SUVs. Particularly the success of the Long Wheelbase E-Class underlines the aptness of our decision to launch the car in India. We will continue with our product offensive and introduce a host of new products across segments and body shapes, to keep the consumer’s interest. Qualitative expansion in our network spread, coupled with service differentiation driven by our cost of ownership measures and availability of tailor made financial programmes, will continue to add value to our efforts of creating delightful customer experience. It is assuring to witness growth across the portfolio which reiterates that luxury car buyers’ in India continues to appreciate our ‘Best Keeps Leading’ initiatives.”
