Mercedes-Benz India launched the E-Class long wheel-base (LWB) facelift priced from INR 6,360,000 ex-showroom India. The E-Class is one of the best-selling luxury sedans in India and has a rich history here, as it has managed to sell close to 46,000 units since its debut in 1995. The E-Class comprises 30 percent of Mercedes-Benz India’s sales. Adding another feather in Mercedes-Benz’s cap, in 2017 India became the first country in the world to get the E-Class LWD right-hand drive version. The extended version is 205 mm longer than the standard E-Class ensuring more cabin space, especially for the rear passengers. The 2021 E-Class is available in three variants—E 200 at INR 6,360,000, E 220d at INR 6,480,000 and the top-of-the-line E 350d at INR 8,090,000, all ex-showroom India. For the first time in India, Mercedes-Benz has also introduced the sporty avatar of the E 350d in the AMG Line.

At the launch, Martin Schwenk, Managing Director and CEO, Mercedes-Benz India, said, “The E-Class remains one of the most successful products in our portfolio, and a much anticipated one. With the new E-Class, we seamlessly combine rear-seat luxury, wide space owing to the LWB, various comfort features with that of latest generation telematics, avant-garde design and exciting driving dynamics. The new E-Class once more raises the benchmark significantly in the luxury saloon segment and we are confident of its stellar market performance and continuing its segment leadership.”

Going by Mercedes-Benz’s latest design language, the E-Class looks a lot bolder than its outgoing model with a more imposing front fascia and angular-shaped LED headlights. The luxury sedan sports an all-black front grille, but the standard versions have two chrome lines running across the mesh, while the AMG Line showcases a metal-studded grille with a single chrome line making the ‘Three-Pointed Star’ logo more prominent. The front bumpers have been redesigned and look aggressive, especially on the E 350d with its larger air vents.

Coming to the side profile, the E-Class remains more-or-less untouched apart from a newly designed set of 17-inch alloy wheels and, as expected, the AMG Line boasts of larger 18-inch ones. The rear has been spruced up with new triangle-shaped LED tail lights, which reminds us of the S-Class.

The 2021 E-Class is offered in six different colours—Designo Hyacinth Red, Mojave Silver, High-tech Silver, Polar White, Obsidian Black and Selenite Grey. The first three are new paint schemes. It also comes with a 3-year standard warranty.

Step inside and the two 12.3-inch screens grab all the attention. One screen is the all-digital instrument cluster and the other is the multimedia touchscreen unit, which is equipped with Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) that lets you control different features like the navigation system with the help of intuitive voice commands. It can also be paired to Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices. Apart from this, the other major update is that the steering wheel now comes with touch control buttons. As this is the long wheel-base E-Class, additional focus is given on the comfort of the rear passengers as the sedan now comes with a touchscreen pad neatly tucked inside the central armrest. And, of course, the rear seats recline as well. It comes fully loaded with features like a 590W Burmester sound system, two wireless phone chargers, a panoramic sunroof and leather upholstery while the 350d comes standard with air suspension.

The E-Class is available in three different engine options. The E 200d is powered by a 1,991 cc, 4-cylinder in-line petrol engine that pumps out 194 bhp at 5,500-6,100 rpm with 320 Nm at 1,650-4,000 rpm. The entry-level diesel, the E 220d gets a 1,950 cc, 4-cylinder in-line diesel motor with 192 bhp of power at 3,800 rpm and a healthy torque of 400 Nm at 1,600- 2,800 rpm. The top-spec 350d churns out 282 bhp at 3,400-4,600 rpm and a colossal torque of 600 Nm at 1,200-3,200 rpm. The AMG Line trim is powered by a 2,925 cc 6-cylinder diesel powerplant. All three are mated to a 9-speed torque converter automatic transmission.

In terms of competition, the E-Class LWB goes up against the Audi A6, the BMW 5 Series, the Jaguar XF and the Volvo S90. (MT)

Mumbai-based automotive major Mahindra & Mahindra has announced its wholesales for April 2025 at 84,170 vehicles, a growth of 19 percent, including exports.

The auto major sold a total of 52,330 SUVs in the domestic market, which was 28 percent higher than 41,008 SUVs sold for the same period last year. Commercial vehicle sales in the domestic market came at 22,989 units, which was 4 percent YoY. 

Veejay Nakra, President, Automotive Division, Mahindra & Mahindra, said, “Building on the strong momentum of last year's performance, we began the year on a strong note in April by achieving SUV sales of 52,330 units, a growth of 28 percent and total vehicle sales of 84,170 units, a 19 percent growth over the same month last year. These numbers indicate the strength of our portfolio and customer offerings.”

JSW MG Motor India, a leading passenger vehicles manufacturer, has announced its wholesales for April 2025.

The company reported sales of 5,829 units, which was 23 percent higher over April 2024, when it sold 4,725 vehicles.

Interestingly, the automaker's popular offering, the Windsor EV, has continued to be the top-selling electric passenger vehicle for the seventh month in a row.

JSW MG Motor India's Windsor EV has now gone home to over 20,000 customers.

Maruti Suzuki India, the country’s largest carmaker, has reported its wholesales of 179,791 units in April 2025, marking a 7 percent increase compared to 168,089 units sold in April 2024. The growth was primarily propelled by strong performance in utility vehicles and a sharp rise in export volumes.

Domestic sales, including passenger and light commercial vehicles, remained flat with 142,053 units, as compared to 140,448 units in April 2024. Within this, light commercial vehicles (LCVs) like the Super Carry saw a significant jump of 34.2 percent, with sales rising to 3,349 units from 2,496 units last year.

In the passenger vehicle segment, SUVs such as the Brezza, Ertiga, Grand Vitara and others recorded a 4.4 percent increase, selling 59,022 units compared to 56,553 in the previous year. However, sales for Eeco declined by 5.2 percent, while the mini segment (Alto, S-Presso) saw a sharp 45 percent drop, falling to 6,332 units from 11,519 units. The compact segment, which includes high-volume models like the Baleno and Swift, grew by 8.1 percent, reaching 61,591 units.

Sales to Toyota Kirloskar Motor rose sharply by 79.2 percent, from 5,481 units to 9,827 units, indicating a growing demand for cross-badged products.

The standout performer was the export segment, which surged 26 percent to 27,911 units from 22,160 units in April 2024. This strong export growth helped bolster the company’s overall numbers despite weaknesses in domestic sub-segments.

While some product lines such as the mid-size sedan Ciaz (-63 percent) continue to struggle.

Tata Motors reported total wholesales of 72,753 units for April 2025, reflecting a 6 percent year-on-year decline from 77,521 units in April 2024.

The passenger vehicle (PV) segment, including electric vehicles, accounted for 45,532 units, down 5 percent from 47,983 units in the same month last year. Within this, domestic PV sales dropped 6 percent to 45,199 units, while international business (IB) sales rose significantly to 333 units, up from 100 units. Electric vehicle sales (domestic + IB) declined 16 percent year-on-year to 5,318 units.

Commercial vehicle (CV) sales stood at 27,221 units, marking an 8 percent YoY drop from 29,538 units in April 2024. Domestic CV sales contracted 10 percent to 25,764 units, while CV exports (IB) grew 43 percent to 1,457 units. Key sub-segments like Small Commercial Vehicles (SCV) and pickups saw a steep 23 percent decline.

Despite growth in certain categories like ILMCV trucks and passenger carriers, overall sales momentum was tempered across both PV and CV segments.