Mercedes-Benz India records best-ever half-yearly sales

Mercedes-Benz India has registered its highest-ever half-yearly sales during January-June 2017 as volumes rose 8.7 percent year-on-year to 7,171 units. The E-class emerged as the highest selling model for the German luxury carmaker in the first half of 2017, followed by the C-class. Among SUVs, the GLC was the best-seller, followed by the GLE.

Interestingly, Mercedes-Benz India also recorded its best-ever sales in the April-June 2017 period as volumes grew 18 percent to 3,521 units; sales in April-June 2016 were 2,975 units. Volumes in June 2017 surged 40 percent year-on-year as the company announced GST benefits across its range ahead of the uniform tax regime's rollout. However, it did not disclose actual sales figures for the month.

"We are confident of our leadership in the market by sustaining this growth story in the remaining quarters as well. The demand for the long-wheelbase E-class, in particular, has contributed immensely to our volumes," Roland Folger, managing director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India, said in a company statement.

The second-half of the year looks promising for the German carmaker and also for the luxury vehicle segment in India as prices of such vehicles have dropped following a cut down in taxes under GST. Luxury carmakers such as Mercedes, Audi, BMW and Jaguar were quick to pass on benefits of the lower tax to consumers as GST rates were announced.