Brands
India to build Mercedes-Maybach GLS, price cut over Rs 40 lakh
PUNE: India has just parked itself firmly in the global fast lane of luxury motoring. Mercedes-Benz will begin local production of its ultra-luxury Maybach GLS in India, making the country the first market outside the United States to assemble the flagship SUV. Until now, the model rolled out only from the brand’s Tuscaloosa plant in Alabama.
The move reflects India’s growing appetite for high-end automobiles. The country has entered the top five global markets for Mercedes-Maybach in 2025, a milestone that surprised even seasoned industry watchers.
“India is now among the top five Mercedes-Maybach markets globally,” said Santosh Iyer, managing director and chief executive officer of Mercedes-Benz India, speaking to CNBC TV18. “Localisation allows us to pass on pricing benefits directly to customers.”
Those benefits are substantial. The locally assembled Maybach GLS will be priced at Rs 2.75 crore ex-showroom, sharply lower than the earlier fully imported version that cost Rs 3.17 crore.
Luxury, it seems, is no longer niche. Cars priced above Rs 1.5 crore now make up over a quarter of Mercedes-Benz India’s total sales. The company’s top-end portfolio grew 11 per cent in 2025, delivering one of its strongest revenue years in the country.
Customers at this end of the market are not just buying cars, Iyer said. They are buying personal statements. While locally built Maybach GLS models promise quicker deliveries, fully imported versions will remain available for buyers seeking bespoke customisation or enhanced security features.
Electric luxury is also quietly picking up speed. While EVs still form a small slice of the overall Indian car market, they account for nearly 20 per cent of Mercedes-Benz’s top-end sales. To ease charging anxiety, the company has rolled out MB.Charge in India, bringing together more than 9,000 DC charging points on a single platform, with in-car payment functionality planned for future models.
Despite a sluggish luxury market growing at just 1 to 2 percent, Mercedes-Benz is steering clear of heavy discounts.
“We are not playing the price game,” Iyer said. “Residual value and brand integrity matter more than short-term volumes.”
Looking ahead, 2026 promises to be busy. Mercedes-Benz plans to launch 12 new vehicles in India across petrol, diesel and electric powertrains. Among them will be the new CLA, set to become the brand’s entry point into electric mobility.
In short, the Maybach may be built for the elite, but its local assembly signals something broader. India is no longer just buying global luxury. It is helping build it.
Brands
Jubilant FoodWorks faces Rs 47.5 crore GST demand, plans appeal
Tax authorities flag alleged misclassification of restaurant services
MUMBAI: Jubilant FoodWorks Limited has landed in a tax tussle after receiving a GST demand of Rs 47.5 crore from the office of the additional commissioner of CGST and central excise in Thane, Maharashtra.
The order, issued under the provisions of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, relates to an alleged incorrect classification of certain services under the category of restaurant services. According to the tax authorities, this classification resulted in a short payment of goods and services tax for the period between the financial years 2019-20 and 2021-22.
The demand includes Rs 47.5 crore in GST along with an equal amount as penalty, in addition to applicable interest. The order was received by the company on March 13, 2026.
In a regulatory filing to the BSE Limited and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited, the company said it disagrees with the order and believes its arguments were not adequately considered.
The company is preparing to challenge the decision and plans to file an appeal. It added that once the redressal process is complete, the demand is likely to be dropped.
Despite the sizeable figure attached to the notice, the company said it does not expect any material impact on its financials, operations or other activities.
The disclosure was signed by Suman Hegde, EVP and chief financial officer, who confirmed that the company received the order at 19:06 IST on March 13 and has already initiated steps to contest it.
The development places the quick service restaurant major in the middle of a tax debate that could hinge on how certain restaurant-linked services are classified under GST rules. For now, the company appears ready to take the matter from the tax office to the appeals desk.
