Tech Desk: Mercedes-Benz India is experiencing an extraordinary surge in electric vehicle demand, with orders for its CLA Electric pushing delivery wait times well into March 2027. Over 1,000 confirmed orders mean customers currently face up to six-month waiting periods for the popular electric sedan, a testament to its market appeal despite supply constraints. This robust interest aligns with Mercedes-Benz recording its highest-ever January-September sales in India, retailing 15,190 cars in the first nine months of 2026, an 8 percent increase year-on-year.

The strong performance extends across segments. The entry-luxury segment, spearheaded by the CLA Electric and GLA, grew 4 percent, while the top-end portfolio saw a 13 percent rise. Overall, electric car sales surged 16 percent in January-September 2026, with the company projecting EVs to constitute 20-25 percent of total sales next year if supply issues are resolved. Managing Director Santosh Iyer noted that EV penetration could have been 7-8 percentage points higher without these limitations.

Further solidifying its EV strategy, Mercedes-Benz has opened bookings for the new GLC Electric, set to launch on November 4th. Assembled locally, the GLC Electric 400 4Matic will offer a 94kWh battery and an impressive 715km WLTP range. This expansion, alongside the EQS SUV and G580, underscores the brand’s commitment to electrification and its successful navigation of India’s evolving luxury automotive landscape, even as diesel models surprisingly account for 40 percent of sales.