Top BMW, Mercedes SUVs sell out ahead of Diwali

Non-luxury PVs too see higher sales around Dhanteras, but were discount-driven

"BMW India has the freshest portfolio in the luxury car market," Rudratej Singh, president and CEO, BMW Group India, said.

German luxury carmakers BMW and Mercedes-Benz have announced the complete sale of their top-of-the-line SUV models, X7 and GLE, respectively, following heavy festive demand. As a result, both companies have opened bookings for these models, the delivery for which will start from January 2020.

Though BMW did not reveal the sales numbers, Mercedes-Benz said it sold over 600 units of all models on Dhanteras, including 250 units in NCR Delhi alone.

“In a slowing automotive market, BMW has [sold] out its flagship Sports Activity Vehicles within less than three months of launch,” the company said. Mercedes-Benz said the demand for its cars was more than seen last year. BMW, which has launched three new products in the last few months, said its new products were generating ‘tremendous’ demand, more than in the previous year, with new models driving sales.

Other passenger car companies have reported rising sales of their models on Dhanteras as compared to sales on the auspicious day last year. But this rise in sales has come at great financial pain for the companies due to heavy discounts being offered to create demand and clear unsold inventory. Unlike in the luxury segment, discounts have been high in the general segment.

An executive from Maruti Suzuki, the largest carmaker said sales were marginally higher than the previous Dhanteras. Hyundai has reportedly sold in excess of 12,000 cars in one day, while new entrants like MG Motor and Kia have delivered 700 units and over 2,100 units respectively. “But we are not out of the woods yet,” said an executive.

Ashish Kale, president, Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations of India said, “Sales were very good in the case of cars and two wheelers, and better than that of last year,” he said without sharing numbers as it was too early to tabulate.

Rudratej Singh, president and CEO, BMW Group India, said, “For us, X7 is only the beginning. BMW India has the freshest portfolio in the luxury car market.”

In record deliveries on Dhanteras in Delhi NCR, Mercedes-Benz said its dealers handed over more than 250 cars to customers, including over 600 units across India. On Dussehra and Navratri, in Mumbai and Gujarat, Mercedes-Benz had delivered over 200 units.