Mercedes-Benz India urges E25 policy clarity as H1 2026 sales hit record 9,768 units
MD Santosh Iyer flags that E25 ethanol-blend rollout must account for existing cars, seeking regulatory clarity before adding E25-compatible vehicles. The luxury automaker posted its best-ever H1 sales of 9,768 units, up 9% YoY, with Q2 volumes of 4,637 units up 10%.
What happened
Mercedes-Benz India MD Santosh Iyer urges policymakers to consider existing cars in E25 ethanol-blend rollout, seeking policy clarity before adding E25
Key facts
- 9,768 units H1 2026
- +9% YoY
- 4,637 units Q2
- +10% Q2 growth
- E25 blend by end of decade
- E20
Why this matters
The public call for E25 policy clarity flags a fuel-transition inflection where early regulatory engagement and compatible-vehicle sourcing partnerships could secure competitive positioning.
What to watch
- Government notification on E25 rollout timeline and legacy-vehicle provisions
- SIAM industry-wide statement or joint OEM petition
- H2 2026 booking cancellations or order-book softening
- Ethanol pricing and availability data across metro fuel stations
- Competitor (BMW, Audi) statements on E25 readiness
- Mercedes lobbies SIAM and MoRTH for written E25 backward-compatibility standards
- Sustain premium momentum via new model launches and CBU-to-CKD localization
- Position EV and hybrid portfolio as fuel-policy hedge against ethanol uncertainty
- Communicate warranty assurances to existing owners to protect resale values