GST 2.0 reform: Mercedes retails record 2500+ cars in Navratri period

NEW DELHI: The GST 2.0 fillip did not just benefit the mass carmakers, but even luxury brands scored massively on the price cuts and pent-up demand.

Mercedes-Benz , the biggest luxury carmaker , on an average sold 277 cars per day in the Navratri period , finishing the auspicious period with gross sales of 2,500 cars. The average car price per transaction was Rs 1 crore, and the company hopes the strong momentum will continue till Diwali.

“We have never seen this kind of demand in the past. This is a record for the number of cars sold in a particular number of days,” Mercedes-Benz India MD & CEO Santosh Iyer said.

Iyer said the current pending deliveries for the brand stand at around 2,000 cars. “The broader economic parameters remain healthy, even though we see concerns around the geopolitical situation and American tariffs.”

The Merc MD said the company sold 5,119 units in the Jul-Sept quarter. In the first half of fiscal 2025-26, the sales stood at 9,357 units with a 4% growth.

“Mercedes-Benz clocked its best-ever Sept sales owing to an overwhelming customer response following the GST 2.0 reforms, culminating the pent-up demand… The reduction in the GST rates has certainly improved customer sentiment with its appropriate timing as car prices had earlier been increasing due to macro-economic challenges like adverse forex movement, rising operational cost etc. We hope this buoyant spirit sustains for the remaining festive season, as we continue to observe market trends closely, remaining cautiously optimistic,” Iyer added.

Mercedes , however, said prices of its models may move up in the new year as the company will have to factor in currency fluctuations. “The rupee has been deteriorating against the Euro and this may prompt us to increase the prices from 2026,” Iyer said.

The company has been witnessing robust demand for its top-end vehicle line-up which includes models such as the GLS, AMG G63 and EQS SUVs, S-Class limousine and Mercedes-Maybach. “The vehicles continued to command customer preference with growing trends of hyper-personalisation and customisation.”