Mercedes-Benz has disclosed that more than half of its cars sold in India are diesel models, indicating that the demand for diesel cars still surpasses that of petrol and electric models combined for the German luxury automaker Mercedes. This trend persists despite a decline in diesel car sales in certain regions, particularly in Delhi-NCR, where diesel vehicles are limited to a maximum usage of 10 years.
Originally crafted to navigate off-road terrains, the Free Driving mode of the GLS was a hero to those stuck in sand or mud. But now, it’s the life of the driveway party, affectionately known as “bounce mode.”#MercedesMaybach #MaybachGLS #Luxury pic.twitter.com/bhjNLqgjrG
— Mercedes-Benz India (@MercedesBenzInd) May 26, 2024
Diesel Domination Among Mercedes-Benz Lovers In India
“It (diesel) represents roundabout 54 percent of our sales, 6 percent is EVs and the balance is petrol. So it’s still skewed towards diesel but we’re happy to offer each of those powertrains to our customers. We’re seeing that some markets are a bit more receptive towards petrol models due to emission norms.” Lance Bennett, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Mercedes-Benz India said.
Mercedes-Benz India offers diesel powertrain options across all body styles, with popular models like the E-class sedan and GLC SUV showing a high share of diesel variant sales. Similar to Mercedes-Benz, BMW continues to sell diesel models in India, whereas competitors like Audi and Volvo have shifted their focus to petrol models and electric vehicles.
In the first quarter of 2024, Mercedes-Benz India achieved a record-breaking sales figure of 5,412 units, marking the highest-ever quarterly sales in the Indian luxury car segment. Despite regulatory restrictions and shifting consumer preferences in some regions, Mercedes-Benz’s diverse diesel offerings have continued to attract a substantial customer base in India, maintaining a strong market presence and leading in the luxury vehicle segment.
