India’s largest luxury carmaker Mercedes-Benz has posted strong sales in quarter one of 2021. It retailed a total of 3,193 units between January 1 and March 31. Over the same period last year, which also had an additional day – February 29 – the carmaker sold 2,386 cars. Do the math, and the growth comes out to be approximately 34 per cent.

The E-Class LWB (Long Wheelbase) continues to be the single strongest seller for the brand, followed by the C-Class. Mercedes-Benz says that it has received a strong consumer response for the E-Class facelift. That received its price list in March 2021. On the SUV front, the GLE claimed the top spot for the company in Q1 sales. The GLC is in the second spot, whereas the GLS bagged third. Overall, sedans accounted for 53 per cent of the carmaker’s sales.

Mercedes-Benz has also shed some light on waiting periods for some models. The wait could vary between four to eight weeks for the A-Class Limousine, C-Class and E-Class LWB. Those looking to book the GLC, GLE or the GLS might have to wait between two to ten weeks. For the G 350 d, which is part of the G-Class family, customers might have to stand by between ten and sixteen weeks. Of course, the waiting periods will depend on the colour and variant.

With a strong show in Q1 of this year, Mercedes-Benz feels it is well on its way to recovery. The carmaker bolstered its entry-level space with the introduction of the A-Class Limousine, for which the orders for April and May are already full. In Q2, Mercedes-Benz will introduce more products, including the all-new GLA. That, like the A-Class Limousine, was supposed to go on sale last year. In all probability, the GLA will borrow all the powertrains from the A-Class. Expect Mercedes to launch the locally assembled GLA 35 AMG too.