The A-Class Limousine will play a key role in strengthening Mercedes-Benz’s sedan portfolio and will be one of the key products to be introduced in India in 2020. It will appeal to a younger customer base that is looking for a very stylish saloon, with next generation telematics and infotainment systems combined with a high level of performance and plenty of space for passengers and luggage.

Mercedes-Benz unveiled also the sporty and stylish luxury SUV the new GLA, which had its world premiere in December 2019. The new GLA features an iconic design that redefines its class again. It combines masculine off-roader genes with Mercedes-Benz’s philosophy of sensual purity. The new GLA now has even more powerful proportions and stance that complements its SUV stance.

The new generation GLE ‘hip-hop’ was another product on display. It comes equipped with touch and AI-based voice control, which offers an unrivalled urban and off-road SUV experience.

The recently-unveiled EQC Edition 1886, gave visitors a glimpse of the ecosystem of services, technologies and innovations around electric mobility that can redefine the automotive sector.

Future Technologies

Mercedes-Benz and its largest R&D facility outside Germany, Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India (MBRDI), made an impressive display of innovative products and the future of automobile technology at the Auto Expo. While Mercedes-Benz India launched the unique V-Class Marco Polo and Marco Polo HORIZON luxury vehicles in India and showcased the Volocopter which is the future of sustainable mobility, MBRDI highlighted the cutting-edge research work on Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) undertaken in Bengaluru and also wrapped up the Hackathon 2019. Martin Schwenk, Managing Director and CEO, Mercedes-Benz India, launched Marco Polo, and together with Manu Saale, Managing Director and CEO, MBRDI, unveiled Volocopter, the mobility of the future.

Marco Polo: Marco Polo takes its body design from its base vehicle, the V-Class, giving an impression of unexpectedly generous space, nonetheless showing compact exterior dimensions. Thanks to powerful and efficient engines, the 9G-TRONIC suspension, and high safety standards, Marco Polo is suitable for long journeys though it is easy to drive/handle as a passenger car.

According to Manu Saale, “Luxury and technology are concepts that are so closely linked, that they represent two sides of the same coin. As automobile inventors and innovators, it is imperative for us to come up with breakthrough disruptions in the auto space that set new industry benchmarks while providing convenience, ease and a comprehensive portfolio of choices to our customers. Through our connected car technologies such as the MBUX, our latest concept car VISION AVTR and the trailblazing innovation of the Volocopter, we want to drive our customers into the future.”

Urban Air Mobility: Volocopter wrote history in 2011, when it completed the very first manned flight of an electrically- powered multi-copter. Since then the German company has demonstrated flights in Dubai, Singapore, and Stuttgart. The pioneers in the development of electrical air taxis that take off and land vertically (eVTOLs), Volocopter builds aircraft that are based on drone technology and carry two people. 

MBUX: At the Consumer Electronics Show 2019, Mercedes-Benz launched the new MBUX Interior Assist with its CLA Coupé. The intuitive controls system operates in non-contact mode and recognizes gestures and movements to create a smart and seamless experience for the user, both in sunlight and in complete darkness. Software experts from the Infotainment and Connected Car Department at MBRDI played a key role in the development of MBUX. (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.