Luxury Carmakers

European car major Volkswagen may drive more global models into India

The brand's India strategy remains focused on selective participation in segments where it can use its global resources

Italian super-luxury carmaker Lamborghini's India drive: Catch them young

India ranks 6th in Asia-Pac for the Italian super luxury carmaker

After Renault, BMW Group announces 3% price hike in India starting April

Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Tata Motors, Kia India and Honda Cars have all announced price hikes April 2025 onwards

Upgraded BMW X3 launched at Rs 75.80 lakh: Features and performance details

The fourth generation X3 made its global debut in June 2024. In India, the SUV will be offered in two variants: petrol-powered X3 20 and X3 20d diesel

Luxury electric vehicle retail sales in 2024 clock 6.7% growth: Fada

Top luxury OEMs together sold 2,809 EVs in 2024, against 2,633 units in 2023

Audi India reports 26.6% decline in retail sales at 5,816 units in 2024

German luxury carmaker Audi on Wednesday reported a 26.6 per cent decline in retail sales at 5,816 units in 2024 compared to the previous year, impacted by supply chain issues. The company had recorded retail sales of 7,931 units in 2023. "The first half of 2024 brought supply-related challenges for Audi India, yet the continued demand for our products reflects the enduring trust our customers place in the brand. With improved supplies in the second half of 2024, our volumes improved by 36 per cent in quarter four compared to quarter three of 2024," Audi India Head Balbir Singh Dhillon said in a statement. He further said 2024 marked a major milestone of a cumulative 1 lakh cars sold in India. On the outlook for 2025, he said, after finishing 2024 strongly in the fourth quarter the company anticipate sales to grow hereon. "We remain optimistic about the long-term potential of the Indian luxury car market and are committed to delivering exceptional experiences to our customers," ..

In a first, Maruti crosses annual production milestone of 2 mn vehicles

Fronx, Ertiga, WagonR and Brezza were the top five manufactured vehicles during the calendar year 2024

Luxury automakers hike prices up to 3% amidst rising material costs

Mercedes-Benz India will revise ex-showroom prices by Rs 2 lakh to Rs 9 lakh, depending on the model

Luxe automakers on top gear to woo buyers in upscale lounge ambience

They are updating dealership networks to offer customers a more luxurious lounge

From EMIs to discounts, luxury car companies switch to festive gear

According to industry analysts, luxury car sales have remained steady, with a slight uptick in vehicle values driving overall revenue growth

Need to have common platform for ease of EV charging: Mercedes-Benz

Luxury carmaker Mercedes-Benz India has pitched for a common platform to provide real-time information about all available charging stations operated by different service providers to make it more convenient for electric vehicle owners. Mercedes-Benz India MD and CEO Santosh Iyer pointed out that the common app would go a long way in enhancing customer convenience and help in pushing electric vehicle adoption in the country. In an interaction with PTI, Iyer noted that there is a need to democratise charging infrastructure for electric vehicles. "Today, if you buy an electric car, you need 3-4 different apps on your phone. What we are requesting the government is to come up with something like a UPI-based system," Iyer said. India is a leader in digital technology, but when it comes to charging, there are still multiple apps, he stated. "They (apps) don't talk to each other...payment gateways are not in sync..if it can be solved the convenience of EVs will be next level," Iyer ...

'People don't buy luxury cars to suffer': SC slams Mercedes for defects

The Supreme Court has provided relief to two companies that had faced problems with luxury cars purchased from Mercedes-Benz

Carmaker Mercedes-Benz India posts record half-yearly sales at 9,262 units

German luxury carmaker Mercedes-Benz on Monday reported a 9 per cent growth in sales at 9,262 units in India in the first half of 2024, its highest ever half-yearly sales in the country, riding on strong demand across categories and availability of volume models. The company had posted sales of 8,528 units in the January-June period of 2023, which was its previous highest half-yearly sales, Mercedes-Benz India said in a statement. It plans to launch six new products in the second half (H2) of 2024. SUV penetration was at 55 per cent in H1 2024, while the TEV (top-end vehicle) segment priced above Rs 1.5 crore comprised 25 per cent of total sales, it added. The SUV segment saw robust performance from the GLA, GLC, GLE and GLS models, while the sedan portfolio comprising the A-Class, C-Class, outgoing LWB E-Class and S-Class topped customer preference for luxury sedans, it added. The BEV (battery electric vehicle) portfolio grew by 60 per cent in H1 24, comprising 5 per cent of tota

US to introduce mandatory emergency braking systems in new cars by 2029

The rule requires that systems detect pedestrians in both daylight and at night. Some small-volume manufacturers will be allowed to comply by September 2030

Nearly one in two luxury cars sold in March quarter was Mercedes Benz

Overall luxury car sales have grown 14% in first three months of 2024

Audi India reports 33% increase in retail sales at 7,027 units in FY24

Luxury carmaker Audi India on Tuesday reported 33 per cent increase in retail sales at 7,027 units for the fiscal ended March 31, 2024. The German automaker had sold 5,275 units in the country in 2022-23 financial year. "We have seen a robust growth of 33 per cent in FY23-24 on the back of a diverse portfolio. Our product portfolio continues to witness strong demand and we are poised to overcome supply challenges," Audi India Head Balbir Singh Dhillon said in a statement. He further said: "Despite ongoing growth in the luxury market, which is tapering off on the back of record-breaking sales in 2023, we are confident about the industry's potential to exceed 50,000 cars in 2024." In the March quarter, the automaker said it retailed 1,046 units in the domestic market. The company encountered challenges related to supply chain disruptions during the first quarter which had an impact on sales. The automaker had retailed 1,950 units in the January -March period of last year. Audi sta

Luxury car sales could breach 50K mark for first time ever: Audi India head

Luxury car sales in India could cross the milestone of 50,000 units for the first time in a year in 2024 amid growing demand for such models, according to Audi India head Balbir Singh Dhillon. The overall domestic luxury car segment grew by 28 per cent annually last year to record sales volume of around 48,500 units. Luxury car volumes in India currently account for less than 2 per cent of the overall passenger vehicle sales annually and the sector has been more or less at the same level for the past decade. "Even if the sales grow by around 10 per cent and we do not face issues like disruptions like issues with global supply chain, we (industry) could cross the 50,000 volume mark in a year for the first time ever in 2024," Dhillon told PTI in an interaction. Audi reported an 89 per cent growth in retail sales in India at 7,931 units last year as compared to a total of 4,187 units in 2022. Similarly, Mercedes-Benz India recorded its best-ever year in its history in India with sale

Expect India to be 3rd largest market among 118 countries: Mercedes-Benz

German carmaker Mercedes-Benz expects India to become its third biggest market in its 'Region Overseas' over the next 2-3 years with demand anticipated to remain strong for luxury products, according to a senior company executive. The Region Overseas for Mercedes Benz comprises 118 countries, excluding North America, Europe and China. India is the fifth largest market in the region after Japan, South Korea, Australia and Turkey. The sales gap between India and Turkey is around 8,000 units per year. "Our Region Overseas markets which encompass 118 markets across the world and India happens to be market number five for us. So you can imagine the relevance and importance it serves not only today, but also for the future of the Mercedes Benz brand," Mercedes-Benz AG Head of Region Overseas, Sagree Sardien told reporters here. When asked about the expected timeframe to achieve the target, she stated, "We are convinced that with the way the Indian market is developing, we should see thi

Red Sea crisis disrupts Audi India's supply chain, firm eyes recovery soon

The situation in the Red Sea is creating supply chain issues for German luxury carmaker Audi, impacting car deliveries to customers in India in the first quarter but recovery is expected in the coming months, according to a senior company official. With electrification on its primary agenda, the company is also evaluating the possibility of assembling electric cars in India, Audi India Head Balbir Singh Dhillon told PTI. "We are also challenged from time to time by various factors. Very recently because of the Red Sea situation there is a supply chain constraint that we're facing in the quarter one of 2024. It is challenging for us in the first quarter but we expect to recover in the coming months," he said. Dhillon was responding to a query on outlook and challenges in 2024. Deliveries to customers for certain models at present have been delayed by a few weeks, he noted. Container vessels have been facing attacks in the Red Sea, one of the most important trade routes in the world

Bullish on India; luxury car penetration expected to remain low: Audi

German auto maker Audi is bullish on India but believes that till the time high taxes rationalise to a lower level, penetration of luxury cars in the country will continue to remain low compared to South East Asian countries, according to a senior company official. Audi expects growth of the luxury car market in India to moderate to low double digits in 2024 compared to around 25 per cent in 2023. "The overall car industry is growing, as well as the luxury segment is growing. Last year was one of the biggest numbers that the industry could achieve, which is also in line with the overall growth of the country," Audi India Head Balbir Singh Dhillon told PTI. He further said, "(India's) GDP is growing, all the parameters that you see for the growth of automotive industry is showing an upward direction. So we believe we are in the right space at a good time and it's time for India and we will continue to grow as well." Dhillon was responding to a query on how Audi is looking at India a