Mercedes-Benz to launch 15 cars in India in 2021
Mercedes-Benz has been at the top of the luxury car segment for six years in a row now and they aren’t looking to slow down in 2021. Out of the 15 models slated for launch this year, some will be facelifts of existing cars, while some will be all-new for the country. The launches are expected to begin from the second quarter of 2021 starting with the A-Class Limousine and the new GLA.
But before we talk about what’s coming, let’s take a look at what 2020 looked like for Mercedes-Benz in India. Despite the onslaught of the pandemic that brought the world to a standstill in 2020, Mercedes-Benz India had managed to launch 10 cars in 2020 and were able to regain sales numbers by the fourth quarter. The total sales figure for 2020 was 7893 units and the C-Class, E-Class LWB, GLC, GLE and GLS continued to be the top sellers in the catalogue. The company, in light of the ‘new normal’ have adopted and heavily integrated the online experience to buy cars and will continue to do so for 2021.
Speaking about 2020, Martin Schwenk, MD and CEO, Mercedes-Benz India, said, “2020 remained an unprecedented year for the industry and we are glad to make a strong sales recovery for us and our dealers. We are particularly satisfied with the strong Q4 performance registering a 40% growth over Q3, and continuing the sales momentum from the preceding quarters”. Talking about 2021, he added, “Mercedes-Benz India is cautiously optimistic and we back it up with 15 new or renewed products and innovations in doing business. 2021 will be a product packed year, which we are confident will translate into excitement for customers and our dealer partners.”
While Mercedes hasn’t really outlined the exact models that will be heading our way in 2021, except for the A-Class Limousine and the new GLA. However, they did tease a few grilles that gives away some information on what’s cooking. The first grille is from the EQS — the all-electric equivalent of the S-Class but since that is yet to see its global unveil, we expect it to be one of the last of the launches to come. The next grille is pretty nondescript since all AMGs now feature the Panamerica grille, but it could even be from the AMG GT Black Series. The next grille is quite visibly from a G-Class and Martin Schwenk did say that Mercedes-Benz will be expanding the G-Class range in India, perhaps with a G500 maybe? The next grille is quite obviously from a Maybach but which one it is, remains to be seen. We do expect the GLS Maybach to come to our shores thanks to India’s love for SUVs, so that is what Mercedes could be hinting at. The final grille is from the 2021 S-Class which should be making its way to India soon after the A-Class Limousine and the GLA.
2021 is set to be quite a year for Mercedes-Benz in India and we cannot wait to see what they have lined up for our market. Stay tuned to our Instagram, Facebook and Twitter handles for all the latest updates.
