Mercedes-Benz India has revealed what it is has planned for this year. To begin with, 2021 will be a product-packed year. A total of fifteen model launches, covering new and facelifts, are planned. That activity will start with the A-Class Limousine and the GLA. Had it not been for the infamous COVID-19 pandemic, we would have received both those models last year. Other model launches include the AMG GT Black Series, the E-Class facelift and the all-new S-Class. The company also mentioned that some upcoming products don’t have any predecessors in India.

Alongside the product launches, Mercedes-Benz India also aims to “drive the brand even closer to customers”. How? First, by further strengthening the service network. Second, by initiating long-term sustainability measures. That includes meeting 80 per cent of electricity requirements via the 3.6MW solar energy capacity and going 100% CO2 neutral by the end of 2022. And third, by introducing more customer-engaging activities such as AMG (Ah My God) Emotion Tours and G-Tribe. The company also aims to modernize touchpoints across the country.

India’s largest luxury carmaker also aims to go big on connected-car tech. Although it has already introduced the upgraded Mercedes Me Connect platform with voice assistance integration (Google Home and Alexa), more features will be added in time via OTA software updates.

We’ve seen Mercedes-Benz India sell over 15,000 units in a calendar year in the past. But as you know, we lived through unprecedented times for most of the last year. With 7,893 units sold, Mercedes-Benz India retained the pole position in 2020. From quarter three (2,058 units) to quarter four (2,886), the brand registered a 40 per cent growth in retail sales. Some of the highlights from the last year include the launch of the first locally-assembled AMG model – the AMG GLC 43 Coupe – and the introduction of India’s first luxury electric vehicle – the EQC. The E-Class LWB continued to lead the pack by being the single-most sought-after model with a three-pointed star.