Mercedes-Benz India, the leading German luxury car manufacturer in the country, has achieved new milestones. In 2024, the company reported its best-ever sales performance in three decades with sales of 19,565 new vehicles in the country, up 12.4 percent YoY. With this, Mercedes-Benz India becomes the first luxury brand to have crossed the 200,000 units sales milestone in the country.

In 2024, the German luxury brand launched 14 new products, including 9 top-end The company attributed the performance to a combination of new launches, existing models and an enhanced retail customer experience.

Last year, Mercedes-Benz launched 14 new products including 9 ultra-premium models in the Indian market. The year also marked the company increasing sales of its EV models consisting of the – EQA 250+, EQB SUV, EQS SUV 580 and the Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV - to over six percent, registering a growth of 94 percent YoY.

Crossing milestones

Mercedes-Benz was amongst the first luxury car brands to have entered the Indian automotive market. This commitment has been rewarded by the Indian consumers who have shown their preference towards Mercedes-Benz, and helped it cross the sales milestone of 200,000 units in the country.

The company shared that of the 200,000 Mercedes-Benz sold since 1994, 100,000 vehicles were sold in the last six years alone (2019-2024). The first 50,000 units sales milestone took 20 years (1994-2013), following the next 50,000 units in five years (2014-2018).

On the other hand, Mercedes-Benz Financial Services, the finance arm of the luxury car maker, has achieved INR 100 billion portfolio in India. Interestingly, every second Mercedes-Benz sold in the country was financed by the company.

Santosh Iyer, MD & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India, said, “Mercedes-Benz continues to lead with its BEV roadmap, strengthening our commitment to sustainability. Our product offensive in 2025 begins with the debut of two eagerly awaited BEVs: the iconic G580 with EQ technology and the 'Made-in-India' EQS SUV 450. The G580 brings the iconic off-road capabilities of the G-Class into the electric age, setting new standards and unlocking unparalleled possibilities in luxury, performance, and sustainability. Following the success of the EQS SUV in India, we are happy to introduce its second variant, EQS SUV 450 in a 5-seater configuration. The EQS SUV 450 combines progressive technology, unparalleled luxury, and ample space with sustainability at its heart.

Expansion and new model launches

As part of its growth strategy for India, the company also marked the launch of two new EVs in the country – the 5-seater made-in-India EQS 450 SUV and the G 580 with EQ Technology.

Mercedes-Benz India also announced its 2025 roadmap for the country ‘Desire to Exceed’, which will see 8 new product launches in addition to facelifts and 20 new luxury touchpoints including expanding to new markets.

It expects its franchise partners will make investment of over INR 4.5 billion towards over the course of next three years.

Mercedes-Benz India has also pledged INR 75 million towards road safety initiatives in the country.

"At Mercedes-Benz, we will continue to shape the future of mobility in the digital era —pushing the boundaries of customer experience, service offerings, innovative products, and sustainability. Our commitment remains unwavering in providing excellence through tailored solutions crafted specifically for India, ensuring the best possible ownership experience for our customers,” concluded Iyer.

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Hyundai Motor India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has revealed the India-spec Hyundai Bayon, with bookings opening across company dealerships and online sales channels ahead of its scheduled launch on 26 October 2026.

The SUV introduces software and connectivity features, including Hyundai Motor India's first generative artificial intelligence (AI) voice assistant incorporating technology from Perplexity and SoundHound AI.

The Bayon is powered by a four-cylinder 1.5-litre MPi petrol engine generating 115 PS of power and 144 Nm of torque. Transmission options include a six-speed manual transmission and an Intelligent Variable Transmission. It also integrates over 70 connected features via the Hyundai Bluelink platform, including remote vehicle controls, smartwatch integration, and location services.

Built on an NVIDIA-accelerated Connected Car Navigation Cockpit, it supports up to 19 over-the-air vehicle controller updates for remote software maintenance and features dual 12.3-inch curved panoramic displays. The infotainment architecture supports a multi-language user interface across 10 regional and two international languages, alongside over 500 offline embedded voice commands across six languages.

Tarun Garg, MD & CEO, Hyundai Motor India, said, "With Hyundai Bayon, we are introducing an Intelligent Utility Vehicle that places technology and convenience at the heart of the customer experience. Guided by the philosophy of ‘Intelligence That Moves,’ Bayon seamlessly integrates Artificial Intelligence, advanced connectivity and software-driven innovation to create a mobility experience that is intuitive, evolving and deeply personalised. Through segment-defining technologies & features such as HMIL's first-ever Generative AI Voice Assistant, NVIDIA-accelerated Connected Car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC), Vehicle Controller Over-the-Air (C-OTA) updates and Hyundai Bluelink connected features, Bayon represents the next generation of intelligent mobility for Indian customers."

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European auto major Stellantis hosted an executive preview event in Paris, introducing six concept vehicles across its brand portfolio ahead of the Paris Motor Show. The reveals span models from Alfa Romeo, Citroën, DS Automobiles, FIAT, Opel and Peugeot, forming part of a broader exhibition featuring over 60 vehicles and nine concept cars across eight corporate brands.

The introduced concepts reflect distinct engineering and design directions for each brand. The Alfa Romeo Cuorerosso concept presents a multi-energy architecture capable of accommodating models up to 4.7 metres in length, including a 2.9-litre V6 full-hybrid powertrain with all-wheel drive.

Citroën unveiled the 2 CV Concept, an electric vehicle targeted for European production at a EUR 15,000 price point. FIAT showcased the Multiplay, a configurable vehicle architecture combining pickup and utility vehicle traits inspired by the original Multipla design.

Opel presented the STX Concept, outlining design elements and lighting signatures for future estate models, while Peugeot revealed the RCZ Vision built on the STLA One platform and featuring steer-by-wire technology alongside updated cabin controls.

DS Automobiles displayed the DS F3VER concept, focusing on vehicle customisation and design parameters for future production models.

Gilles Vidal, Head of Design, Enlarged Europe at Stellantis, said, "With these six concept cars, we are expressing a shared conviction: the future of automotive design must be both bold and meaningful. Each concept explores new ways to enhance everyday experiences while reinforcing the unique identity of its brand. Together, they demonstrate how creativity, innovation and emotion can come together to make people fall in love with cars again."

Antonio Filosa, CEO, Stellantis, said, "This event brings our FaSTLAne 2030 strategy to life. It reflects the extraordinary effort of our teams and our commitment to shaping the future of mobility through iconic brands, compelling design and innovative technology, giving customers more choice and more reasons to be excited about what’s ahead."

Emanuele Cappellano, COO for Enlarged Europe, Stellantis, said, "Stellantis is deeply rooted in Europe and holds a leading position that will be strengthened by the success of all our brands. Stellantis wants to fully leverage the competitive advantage set by its iconic brands’ uniqueness, offering cars that are at once rooted in heritage and future-driven, based on robust know-how and distinguished by their unmatched design beauty, to shape the future of mobility with more than 50 products to be launched by 2030. These achievements, based on the execution of our strategic plan, will enable Stellantis to expand its market coverage in Enlarged Europe by 25 percent."

The concept unveils support Stellantis's broader product development roadmap, which targets the introduction of over 50 vehicle models by 2030 and a 25 percent expansion in European market coverage.

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Chinese premium electric vehicle brand AVATR announced its entry into the European market at an event in Paris, marking the next phase of its global growth plan. The manufacturer will initiate European retail operations in 2027, launching first in Norway and Spain with the AVATR 06T and 07L models.

AVATR operates as a joint initiative combining vehicle manufacturing from Changan Automobile, battery technology from CATL and software engineering capabilities from a technology enterprise, with design operations split between hubs in Shanghai and Munich.

Over the next three years, AVATR plans to introduce six models in Europe across mid-size SUV, large SUV and shooting-brake body styles. The company currently operates in 70 countries and regions, with global sales exceeding 280,000 units. AVATR targets expansion into 110 countries and regions by 2030, projecting overseas sales to represent more than 50 per cent of its total volume.

Justin Li, Head of AVATR Overseas Business, said, "AVATR has been a global brand from the very beginning. Over the next three years, six models will be launched in Europe spanning mid‑size SUVs, large SUVs and shooting‑brake body styles. In 2027, Norway and Spain will serve as AVATR’s European launch markets, where the AVATR 06T and 07L will make their European debut, officially embarking on a new journey for AVATR in Europe."

To establish its European retail and service infrastructure, AVATR has partnered with Nordic automotive importer RSA in Norway. The collaboration will establish two flagship locations in Oslo alongside additional experience centres and regional distribution points across major Norwegian cities. The company is setting up a localised service network, factory training programs and a European spare-parts logistics framework to support maintenance, roadside assistance and battery recycling operations.

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Toyota Kirloskar Motor, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers in the country, has introduced the 2026 Fortuner Leader Edition in India, featuring exterior styling revisions and interior equipment updates.

Bookings for the model open on 12 October 2026 across company dealerships, with ex-showroom prices set at INR 3.65 million for the 4x2 Manual Transmission variant and INR 3.87 million for the 4x2 Automatic Transmission variant.

On the outside, the Leader Edition include the new redesigned front grille design, black rear door garnish, gloss black alloy wheels with matching hub caps, body side mouldings, a hood emblem and a black-finished roof and antenna.

In the cabin, the model features dual-tone black and maroon seat upholstery, matching door trims, ambient lighting and illuminated scuff plates. Additional functional additions comprise auto-folding outside rear-view mirrors and a tyre pressure monitoring system.

Sabari Manohar, Executive Vice-President of Sales-Service-Used Car Business, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, "The Fortuner has always represented confidence, capability and a spirit of achievement. With the new Leader Edition of the Fortuner, we are further defining this legacy through exterior enhancements and convenience features that reflect the aspirations of today’s customers. As we continue to align with changing trends, it is our endeavour to continuously evolve the Fortuner experience while staying true to the inherent qualities that have made them iconic. We are confident that the Leader Edition will further strengthen our commitment to delivering ever-better cars and creating Mass Happiness for All."

The model will be offered in three exterior colour options: Super White, Platinum White Pearl and Attitude Black. Toyota offers ownership packages with the vehicle, including a standard three-year or 100,000 km warranty extendable to five years or 220,000 km, 5-years of complimentary roadside assistance, and financing options up to seven years.

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