Mercedes-Benz launched the new E-Class strengthening its limousine portfolio in India. The new E-class gets styling updates on the exterior with new headlamps, grille design, bumpers and tail lamps. Simultaneously, the interior receives the latest generation MBUX head unit with the latest generation steering and luxurious open-pore wood trims in front and rear with an Artico leather dashboard.

The new Mercedes Benz User Experience system features dual 12.3inch digital displays on the inside with intuitive and touch-sensitive controls. The new E-Class boasts of the most spacious rear cabin in the segment, with a total length of five meters and a wheelbase of three meters.

Mercedes has loaded the new E-Class with technology enabling Alexa and Google Home integration with 'Mercedes me connect' and 'Hey Mercedes' voice assistance with natural language recognition.

The new E-class will be available in three trim levels: E 200, E 220d and E 350d AMG Line. This is the first time that Mercedes has launched an AMG Line exterior styling for India. The AMG Line models feature redesigned diamond-studded grills, AMG design bumpers in front and rear and sporty side skirts. The AMG Line also gets 18-inch AMG alloys and Air Body Control suspension as standard.

The company also offers attractive service packages starting from INR 67,800 for two years and a standard warranty of three years.

The E-Class can be had in four standard colour options: Polar White, Obsidian Black, High-Tech Silver and Mojave Silver while Selenite Grey and Designo Hyacinth Red will be offered for a limited time.

Mercedes has priced the latest generation of its best-selling model competitively with a starting price of INR 63.6 lakhs for the E 200 and extending up to INR 80.9 lakhs for the E 350d AMG Line.

Commenting at the launch, Martin Schwenk, MD & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India, said, “Listening to our customers’ wishes and introducing the latest products and continuously honing them has been key to our customer strategy. We have to advance the launch of the new E-Class owing to the successful run out of the outgoing model much ahead of our planning and for an overwhelming interest for the new model. We have completely reimagined the new E-Class by making it more dynamic, more fun to drive and more tech enriched than ever before. We are confident that with our balanced variant strategy, the new E-Class will strongly appeal to not only the chauffeur driven luxury dweller, but also to the driving enthusiast who wants a sporty and fun car to drive around, without compromising on any of the luxury features.”

Other Key features:

• Smart phone integration package
• Best in class rear reclining seats with memory functions (37 degrees)
• Chauffeur package
• Rear removable touchpad for all convenience controls at the centre armrest
• Burmester surround sound system with 590W output
• Panoramic sunroof
• Wireless charger at the rear
• Newly designed AC console with storage
• Power close function for doors
• Park Pilot (Active Park Assistance) with reverse camera
• Quarter glass inspired by the Mercedes-Maybach
• Active Brake Assist
• Active Bonnet for pedestrian protection
• Emergency call with Mercedes me connect
• Pre-safe
• 7 airbags including a knee airbag (MT)

Skoda Auto Volkswagen India (SAVWIPL) has announced key leadership changes as part of its ongoing localisation and growth strategy.

Ashish Gupta, currently Brand Director of Volkswagen Passenger Cars, will take over as Brand Director of Skoda India from 1 May 2025, succeeding Petr Janeba, who returns to Skoda Auto in the Czech Republic.

Gupta brings over 20 years of automotive experience, including five years leading the Volkswagen brand in India. Nitin Kohli, currently with Audi India, will step into Gupta’s role as Brand Director of Volkswagen Passenger Cars. Kohli has over 25 years in automotive sales, including 12 with SAVWIPL.

“These changes reaffirm our focus on nurturing Indian leadership talent and staying agile in a dynamic market,” said Piyush Arora, CEO & MD, SAVWIPL. “Ashish and Nitin are well-positioned to lead Skoda and Volkswagen into their next growth phase.”

Jan Bures, Board Member and Executive Director, Sales, Marketing & Digital, SAVWIPL, said, “Ashish and Nitin have consistently delivered impact with agility and customer-centric thinking. Their appointment is not just a leadership change; it signals a broader shift in how we are building resilient, future-ready teams from within India. We are confident that both Ashish and Nitin will bring renewed energy and direction to the journeys of Skoda and Volkswagen.”

The transition is aligned with SAVWIPL’s broader efforts to strengthen local capabilities and drive future-ready brand strategies in India.

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.