Mercedes-Benz India logs best-ever H1 sales of 9,768 units, flags E25 fuel policy risk

Mercedes-Benz India posted record H1 2026 sales of 9,768 cars, up 9% YoY, with Q2 at 4,637 units (up 10%). MD urges policymakers to protect existing car owners as the proposed E25 ethanol blend looms, noting vehicles sold since 2020 are E20-compliant.

— Source publishedTue, 7 Jul, 2026, 17:06 IST·First seen Tue, 7 Jul, 2026, 17:25 IST·Source Business Today · Latest

What happened

Mercedes-Benz India MD urges policymakers to consider existing cars amid proposed E25 ethanol blend, noting cars sold since 2020 are E20-compliant. Company

Key facts

  • 9,768 cars H1 2026
  • up 9% YoY
  • 4,637 cars Q2
  • up 10%
  • E25 blend by end of decade

Why this matters

Strong sales base strengthens our India expansion thesis, while the E25 regulatory shift may create partnership or investment opportunities in fuel-compatibility retrofits and compliant vehicle portfolios.

What to watch

  • Government notification or timeline on E25 ethanol blend rollout
  • Any statement on fuel compatibility for pre-2020 vehicles
  • Q3/festive-season booking data from luxury OEMs
  • Import duty or GST changes affecting luxury car pricing
  • Fuel price and ethanol supply availability signals
  • Mercedes-Benz India accelerates top-end vehicle and EV launches to protect ASP-led growth
  • OEM industry body (SIAM) lobbies policymakers for transition roadmap and owner protection
  • Dealers push year-end/festive financing to pull forward demand before policy uncertainty widens
  • Peers (BMW, Audi) issue comparable compliance reassurances to defend luxury segment