Santosh Iyer, Managing Director & CEO of Mercedes-Benz India, expressed confidence in the brand's continued success in the Indian market: "Mercedes-Benz remains the most desirable luxury brand in the Indian market owing to continued customer trust in our products and services. New and updated products, elevated customer experience at retail and ease of ownership, combined with positive customer sentiments; boosted our best-ever H1 sales performance. With some of the most awaited products lined up for the upcoming festive season, we expect the remaining quarters to continue the forecasted growth."
Iyer also highlighted the shift towards sustainable living and how it impacts customer preferences: "Customers are increasingly adopting a sustainable lifestyle and their choice of vehicle manifests these changing preferences. With the EQA and EQB, we are targeting young customers desiring sporty, dynamic, highly intuitive BEVs, which are practical, offering an ownership experience better than ICE counterparts. While the EQA is Mercedes-Benz’s most successful BEV worldwide, the EQB 350 debuts in a 5-seater configuration, continuing to offer young families a practical, stylish, and long-range BEV, suitable for both city and highway travel."
"Both these BEVs promise to make BEV ownership attractive, convenient, and highly value-driven. Our BEV roadmap for India is ambitious, comprising the most versatile BEV portfolio, starting from the EQA up to the upcoming EQS Maybach SUV, by end of the year."
The EQA and EQB come equipped with numerous advanced features. Some of the highlights include a High-Resolution Head-Up Display, Burmester surround sound system with Dolby Atmos, and MBUX Interior Assistant with gesture control. They also feature Thermotronic dual-zone automatic climate control, Parktronic parking package with a 360° camera, and remote services using Mercedes Me Connect. Safety is a priority, with features like seven airbags, including a driver knee airbag, Blind Spot Assist, Active Brake Assist, and the PRE-SAFE® safety system. The vehicles also sport 19” AMG alloy wheels.
Specifically, the EQB 350 4MATIC is available in two powertrains and seating configurations: the EQB 350 4M, AMG Line, 5-seater, and the EQB 250+, Electric Art Line, 7-seater. It also features ADAS Level 2, including Distronic active distance assist and active lane keep assist.
The introductory price for the EQA 250+ is INR 66 lakhs (all-India ex-showroom). The New EQB 350 SUV (5-seater) is priced at INR 77.5 lakhs (all India ex-showroom). The New EQB 250+ SUV (7-seater) costs INR 70.90 lakhs (all India ex-showroom), with bookings open for January 2025 deliveries.
The launch took place in Pune, where Mercedes-Benz, introduced the much-awaited EQA 250+ BEV and the EQB 350 BEV with a five-seater configuration. These vehicles are designed to provide extended range, practicality for daily use, a dynamic driving experience, attractive Total Cost of Ownership, and best Residual Value. Targeted at young individuals and active families, these BEVs cater to early adopters of e-mobility, trendsetters, and those who are highly environment-conscious.
With these launches, Mercedes-Benz reiterates its ambitious EV roadmap for the Indian market, aiming to offer a robust BEV portfolio with six world-class products by the end of the year. By the end of 2024, the company plans to have a BEV in each segment, from the EQA 250+ to the luxurious EQS Maybach SUV. The company has also been steadily building a robust charging infrastructure across its Franchise Partner network, which includes DC Fast and Ultra-Fast Chargers (60 kW and 180 kW), in addition to offering complimentary AC wall box chargers to its customers with every BEV.
The EQA 250+ embodies "Progressive Design" and "Intuitive Technology," offering new-age customers the iconic Mercedes-Benz experience in an all-electric package. With its dynamic SUV body, the EQA exudes style and promises the thrill of driving along with everyday practicality. The EQA 250+ is equipped with a standard 'Electric Art' package, enhancing the vehicle's progressive design and elegant looks. The EQA features a star-pattern grill along with a central star and stylish 19-inch light-alloy wheels. A continuous light strip reinforces the car's identity as part of the Mercedes-Benz EV family. The Electric Art package includes rosé gold highlights on the upholstery and air vents, complemented by a backlit trim, setting the tone for a futuristic and luxurious ambiance, the company said.
The New EQB 350 4MATIC is introduced with a five-seater configuration for the first time in India, featuring premium upgrades in terms of an attractive AMG Line exterior and luxurious interior. With MBUX Gen 2 featuring improved voice control, augmented reality navigation, and a host of driving assistance systems like Distronic Active Distance Assist and Active Lane Keep Assist, the EQB 350 4M sets a new benchmark in the luxury BEV segment. The EQB 350 4M offers performance and versatility with a five-seater configuration, catering to the diverse needs of young active families. The significant updates and new features enhance the EQB's proposition, making it a compelling product for early adopters of luxury electric vehicles, the company added.
Mercedes-Benz Financial Services offers easy financial solutions with its Star Agility plan. Customers can opt for easy ownership with a 20% down payment upfront for a 4-year tenure with an approximate EMI of INR 68,000. The EQA 250+ also boasts a segment-best assured buy-back of 67%. The total annual savings with the EQA 250+ compared to its ICE counterpart is estimated at INR 240,000 by the end of four years, assuming the vehicle is driven for approximately 2000 km/month.
The New EQB 350 4MATIC comes with updated exterior and interior designs. Its newly designed black panel surface with a star pattern at the front aligns with its larger model siblings, while a redesigned bumper enhances the vehicle's visual appeal. Inside, the EQB features a range of trim options, including brown lime open-pore wood and backlit Mercedes-Benz patterns.
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