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.