Indian Luxury Car Sales 2017: Mercedes Retains Top Spot

Mercedes-Benz India has retained its dominant number 1 position in the Indian luxury car space. This is the third year in a row that Mercedes-Benz has trumped rivals to do so. Although the total sales figures for Mercedes-Benz for 2017 are not out just yet, Q1-Q3 results for Mercedes-Benz already showed sales at an impressive 11,869 units. The growth in 2017 was driven by the likes of the new E-Class along with other volume players like the C-Class and the GLC SUV. The likes of the flagship S-Class sedan and the GLE SUV too have contributed to growth in 2017 as compared to 2016 sales. Mercedes-Benz India has also capitalised on the likes of the CLA 4-door coupe that has seen robust sales since the mid-life facelift was launched late 2016 adding to the overall tally in the year 2017.

(Mercedes-Benz E-Class)

By comparison, the BMW India group has sold a total of 9800 units in India in 2017, a whopping 25 per cent increase over 7861 units sold in 2016. BMW by itself has sold 9379 units in India in 2017 as compared to 7500 units in 2016 (growth of 25 per cent) while Mini has sold a modest 421 units for 2017 as compared to 361 sold in 2016 (growth of 17 per cent). BMW launched the new 5 Series in India this year while Mini launched the new Clubman. 

(new BMW 5 Series)

For the first time in three years, Audi India have released sales figures too. The one time largest luxury Indian carmaker and also the first luxury car maker to cross 10,000 units had slipped to the third position in 2016 and continue to stay there this year too. However, the German automaker has shown an improvement, albeit very slight, of 2 per cent with 7876 units in 2017 as compared to 7742 units in 2016. That said, with the likes of the new Audi Q5 about to hit Indian shores and the new Audi A6 later in 2018, the coming year could prove to be much better. Incidentally, 2017 was also Audi's 10 year anniversary in India.

Also Read: Exclusive Audi Q5 Review

(Audi S5 was launched in India in 2017 with the A5 sportback)

The biggest improvement this year in the luxury car space though has to be from the Tata Motors owned Jaguar Land Rover. JLR showcased a whopping 49 per cent growth in 2017 to clock a record (for India) 3954 units. The growth was mainly due to the likes of a price adjustment on all models from Jaguar Land Rover range, especially higher end CBU models that become a lot more affordable in 2017. The likes of the Jaguar F-Pace now being assembled in India at a lot more sensible price has also improved sales figures. 2018 though will be a very interesting year for JLR with two big SUV launches - the Range Rover Velar and the Jaguar E-Pace scheduled.

(Jaguar started assembling the F-Pace in India in 2017)

Scandinavian automaker Volvo had yet another best ever year in India in 2017 with sales up an impressive 28 percent at 2029 units in 2017 as compared to 1584 units in 2016. Th big launch for Volvo in 2017 was of course the V90 Cross Country that was launched in July followed up by the XC60 SUV that was launched in December. The XC60 will mot certainly help Volvo boost its sales up in 2018 along with the long awaited XC40 that will help push those numbers up even further. 

(Volvo XC60 SUV was launched in India in 2017)

2017 also saw the much entry of the Lexus brand in India. Sales figures for the Japanese luxury automaker though have yet to be announced.