Launched less than two weeks ago, the Mercedes-Benz EQS 580 4Matic luxury electric sedan has already garnered over 300 bookings. This news comes on the back of a strong 2022 sales performance by Mercedes-Benz India so far, of 11,469 units, which is more than the brand sold in all of 2021.
- Locally assembled EQS 580 costs less than an S-Class
- GLE and GLS made up 30 percent of sales in Q3 2022
- E-Class limousine remains brand’s bestselling vehicle
Mercedes EQS 580 price takes advantage of lower tax on EVs
Three hundred bookings is quite a significant number for a vehicle that costs Rs 1.55 crore (ex-showroom), but it’s also important to remember that this price is actually lower than its internal combustion counterpart, the S-Class, which is the most popular car in its segment.
Mercedes was able to price the higher-tech, better-equipped EV limo lower not just thanks to local assembly, but also by taking advantage of the lower 5 percent GST on EVs (as opposed to 28 percent on ICE cars) and passing it on to the customer.
Another big draw for buyers will surely have been the EQS 580’s ARAI-certified range of 857km. Though most other luxury EVs flaunt a range figure tested on the international WLTP cycle, which is different from India’s ARAI rating (the EQS 580’s WLTP rating is 676km), this huge number will no doubt have given EV fence-sitters confidence to take the plunge. Deliveries of the locally assembled EQS 580 have already begun, with newer bookings to be delivered by early 2023.
Mercedes GLE and GLS see record sales
The Mercedes E-Class limousine remains the brand’s bestselling model in India, but what comes as more of a surprise is that the GLE and GLS – the brand’s two largest and most expensive SUVs – achieved record sales. In fact, they accounted for 30 percent of Mercedes-Benz India’s sales in the third quarter of 2022.
“Our sales are at pre-pandemic level, having crossed CY 2021 (January-December 2021) sales numbers in the first nine months this year,” said Mercedes-Benz India MD and CEO Martin Schwenk. “It also remains our endeavour to produce as many cars as possible to cater to the growing demand, amidst the current supply constraints.”
While the sales performance has been strong, it’s also worth noting that the brand has an unfulfilled order bank of over 7,000, with huge demand overwhelming supply. And with more exciting Mercedes models in the pipeline for the last three months of 2022, including the compact, three-row electric SUV – the EQB – this could very well end up being the luxury brand’s strongest year ever.
Dipan Sur
Viraaj Bhatnagar
Glenn Noronha
Dhruv Dhaka
