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Time of India
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
India's luxury car market gets an EV charge
India's luxury vehicle market is giving itself an EV charge. According to the latest data from Vahan dashboard, the penetration of EVs in the luxury car market increased from 7per cent in January-May 2024 to 11% in the same period this year. Luxe e-vehicle sales went from 1,223 units in Jan-May 24 to 2,027 units in the same period this year, shows the Vahan data. For calendar 2024, e-luxe vehicle sales were around 51,000 units up from just over 48,000 units in 2023 (some OEMs did not share retail data). This is the first time that EV penetration in the luxe car and SUV market has entered double digit territory. Santosh Iyer, MD & CEO, Mercedes Benz India said, 'More luxury customers are lapping up electric vehicles. In the calendar year 2025 YTD, the total luxury vehicle market grew 5per cent but the electric luxury market was up 66per cent and Mercedes Benz India saw 73% growth.' The company which launched the EQS580 sedan celebration edition in Chennai on Monday, is focusing on the higher end of its luxury lineup. 'We are growing in the top end of the EV space with the EQS sedan, EQS SUV and Maybach EQS 680 SUV leading the growth,' he added. With more than 3,000 EVs sold till date arch-rival BMW Group India is serious about its electric presence. Vikram Pawah, president and CEO, BMW Group India said, 'BMW is the leader in electric luxury mobility since the last 3 years. At present, we command 58per cent of luxury EV market share.' The company sold 1,020 units of its BMW and Mini EVs in January to May 2025, up 110per cent over the same period last year. The company is also focusing on 'enabling a strong EV ecosystem for our consumers,' by understanding usage patterns, offering a strong charging network and a host of charging initiatives. As for Audi India, it is offering customers access to 6,500 plus charge points through a charging app for convenience. Priced anywhere between ₹ 1 crore to ₹3 crore, the e-luxe cars and SUVs are not cheap. But luxury car makers are looking at this segment as a growth opportunity even if EVs currently comprise less than 10per cent of their sales. For Audi India, for instance, EVs constitute 2per cent of its total sales volumes while for Mercedes Benz India electric comprised 7per cent of its 19,565 units overall sales in 2024.


Time of India
14-06-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
RBI rate relief to luxury car buyers but exchange rate concerns remain, says Mercedes-Benz India
KOLKATA: The recent RBI interest rate reduction provided much-needed relief to luxury car buyers. Some of the price hikes that carmakers were forced to implement in recent years were offset by the rate cut, which helped maintain relatively stable EMIs. Speaking to TOI on the occasion of the introduction of the brand's first hyper-personalisation in India on Thursday, Mercedes Benz India (MBI) Managing Director and CEO Santosh Iyer said Mercedes Benz Financial, the company's non-banking financial arm, passed on the benefits from the RBI repo rate cut to customers. This offered relief and helped maintain relatively stable EMIs despite rising vehicle prices. However, luxury carmakers, including MBI, continue to be concerned over the exchange rate. It is this adverse forex situation that forced Mercedes Benz to implement three price hikes this year. "The euro-rupee equation was particularly challenging, moving from Rs 85-88 to nearly Rs 98 to the euro," explained Iyer. The adverse exchange rate impacts both CKD parts, which comprise 91% of the vehicles sold, and CBUs that make up the rest. "Market sentiment remains mixed, with positive indicators including strong capital markets and healthy GDP growth. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trading CFD dengan Teknologi dan Kecepatan Lebih Baik IC Markets Pelajari Undo Tax collections are high, and spending continues, but currency valuation impacts make vehicles more expensive," Iyer explained. The luxury car market has shown resilience, growing by 7-8% in certain segments. Electric vehicles have been a bright spot, with luxury EV penetration increasing from 7% to 11%. "Mercedes Benz has outpaced the luxury electric segment growth, recording a 73% increase compared to the industry's 66%," Iyer noted. The company's top-end segment continued to show strength, particularly with models like the G-Class, EQS SUV, and Maybach EQS SUV. Mercedes-Benz Research & Development India (MBRDI) Managing Director & CEO Manu Saale highlighted the facility's contribution to the company's evolution. "As the largest R&D centre for Mercedes outside Germany, we're integrating Indian expertise into global operations," says Saale. MBRDI played a key role in shaping the India-inspired Collector's Edition of the AMG G 63, which includes etching the owner's name on the grab handle. "MBRDI's current focus centres on two primary areas. The first is digital twin technology, where physical processes are digitised throughout the automotive development chain. This advancement accelerates development timelines whilst reducing costs. The second area involves customer-facing digital features, including infotainment systems, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), and electric vehicle charging solutions," added Saale. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .


ArabGT
13-03-2025
- Automotive
- ArabGT
Global Market Pricing for the 2025 Mercedes EQS SUV
The official global pricing for the 2025 Mercedes EQS SUV has been confirmed. This report provides a detailed look at the cost of owning one of Mercedes' fully electric SUVs. As the EQS SUV enters its third year in the market, the 2025 model remains largely unchanged, with only a few updates to standard and optional features. The latest standard equipment includes four-zone automatic climate control, soft-close doors, a front-seat airbag, and front-seat headrests. Additionally, the list of available options now features a redesigned 22-inch wheel set and automatic front and rear doors. Global Pricing for the 2025 Mercedes EQS SUV The EQS SUV 450+ starts at $106,400 (SAR 399,000) . . The EQS SUV 450 4Matic is priced at $109,400 (SAR 410,250) . . The EQS SUV 580 4Matic comes in at $129,350 (SAR 485,062). All prices include a $1,150 (SAR 4,312) destination charge. Trim Levels of the 2025 EQS SUV As a luxury electric SUV, the Mercedes EQS SUV offers an extensive range of high-end features, even in its base trim. Standard exterior highlights include adaptive air suspension, rear-wheel steering, LED lighting, a panoramic sunroof, a power liftgate, keyless entry and start, and the newly introduced soft-close doors. Inside the cabin, the EQS SUV provides power-adjustable front and rear seats, with heating and ventilation in the front row, complemented by customizable 64-color ambient lighting. Mercedes' Hyperscreen is also standard, featuring a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 17.7-inch central touchscreen, and a 12.3-inch front passenger display, forming an entirely digital dashboard. Other notable inclusions are wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging, augmented reality navigation, and a premium 15-speaker Burmester 3D surround sound system. Safety and Security Features The 2025 EQS SUV is equipped with a comprehensive suite of advanced safety technologies. Standard safety features include: Forward Collision Warning with Pedestrian Detection Automatic Emergency Braking Adaptive Cruise Control Blind Spot Warning Emergency Steering Assist Lane Departure Warning with Steering Assist Automatic Lane Change Assist Front and Rear Cross Traffic Alert Automatic High Beams Driver Attention Monitor Road Sign Recognition Additionally, a 360-degree camera and front and rear parking sensors are standard, along with an automated parking system. Optional safety upgrades include a Head-Up Display and a rearview camera. The EQS 580 4Matic variant uniquely offers massaging and fast-heating front seats as part of its standard package. Meanwhile, two optional upgrade packages are available for all trim levels: Exclusive Package : Adds a HEPA air filtration system, a fragrance diffuser, upgraded front seats on the EQS 580, and gesture controls for the infotainment system . : Adds a . Pinnacle Package: Includes all Exclusive Package features plus enhanced rear passenger comfort, a dedicated tablet for infotainment control, additional gesture controls, another wireless charging pad, and removable synthetic suede headrests. Mechanical Specifications All 2025 EQS SUV models are powered by a 118 kWh battery. The EQS 450+ features a single rear-mounted electric motor producing 355 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque , delivering an EPA-estimated range of 323 miles (520 km) . features a single producing , delivering an . The EQS 450 4Matic adds a front motor for all-wheel drive , maintaining 355 hp , but increasing torque to 800 Nm , with a slightly reduced range of 312 miles (502 km) . adds a , maintaining , but increasing torque to , with a slightly reduced range of . The EQS 580 4Matic utilizes dual electric motors, generating 536 hp and 858 Nm of torque, providing an EPA-estimated range of 317 miles (510 km). This report has detailed the global pricing and specifications of the 2025 Merced