Overview
- Both manufacturers published best‑ever January–June results this week, with Mercedes-Benz India reporting 9,768 retail sales and BMW Group India reporting 9,075 cars.
- BMW says EVs accounted for about 26 percent of its H1 volumes with 2,359 units sold and a 78 percent year‑on‑year jump, while Mercedes says BEV penetration doubled to 14 percent in Q2 led by the CLA BEV and EQS SUV.
- A disputed leaderboard emerged after BMW cited VAHAN government registration data to claim 10,043 units versus Mercedes’ 9,472, a tally that differs from both companies’ own announced figures and highlights timing and scope differences between VAHAN, company retail counts and FADA retail data.
- Independent FADA retail registrations show India’s broader EV market accelerating strongly, with about 31,823 electric cars sold in June and roughly 82,011 in Q2, amplifying the impact of luxury EV uptake on overall market growth.
- Product mix and local strategy are driving demand: long‑wheelbase models, new BEVs, AMG and top‑end models are creating waiting lists and feeding expansion plans, and BMW says it is targeting a record 20,000 annual sales while Mercedes is widening dealer touchpoints.