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Luxury carmakers <keyword id="19980471" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mercedes-Benz" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Mercedes-Benz" meta.hostid="153" meta.entityid="Mercedes-Benz">Mercedes-Benz</keyword>, <keyword id="19911529" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Audi" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Audi" meta.hostid="153" meta.entityid="Audi">Audi</keyword>, and <keyword id="19911528" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="BMW" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="BMW" meta.hostid="153" meta.entityid="BMW">BMW</keyword> are eyeing robust sales during the festive period this year with demand for <keyword id="20194571" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="High-end-cars" source="keywords">high-end cars</keyword> continuing to see an upward trend in India. In an interaction with PTI, Mercedes-Benz India MD and CEO Santosh Iyer said the luxury car segment is set for its best-ever performance this year with <keyword id="19894908" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Festive-season" source="keywords">festive season</keyword> offtakes playing a major role in the overall performance. He noted that the festive season generally gives high double-digit <keyword id="20040491" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sales-growth" source="keywords">sales growth</keyword>, helping the automaker to average out single-digit growth of the earlier quarter. "So in that sense, on an average, then we are able to get a double-digit growth during the festive season," Iyer stated. Elaborating on the overall industry, which still remains a very small part of the overall passenger vehicle market in the country, he said the segment is headed for record volumes this fiscal year but not all players are witnessing growth." Some (companies) are even degrowing, some are flat and they are facing headwinds, but because we are the primary player in the market, we still feel the luxury car market should cross 50,000-51,000 cars this year," Iyer said. The luxury car market in India currently remains very small accounting for less than 2 % of the overall passenger vehicle market in the country. Audi India Head Balbir Singh Dhillon said the automaker anticipates positive buying trends to continue during the festive season. "Our best-selling models - the A4, A6, Q3, Q3 Sportback, Q5, Q7, and the newly launched Q8 - continue to drive robust demand," he added. The company is equally optimistic about the e-tron range, the e-tron GT and RS e-tron GT, Dhillon said. BMW Group India President Vikram Pawah said the fundamentals of the Indian economy are sturdy and consumer confidence in the luxury segment is on the rise. "For BMW Group India, the order bank is solid and we are trying our best to speed up deliveries for our customers. Along with additional bookings around Diwali and Dussehra, we are confident of closing the year on a high note while clocking impressive growth," he stated. He noted that the group is witnessing very strong demand for products across all segments. Pawah said that in the run-up to the festive season, the company has introduced several special editions of its existing model range. The festive season usually commences with Onam and ends with Diwali every year.

Luxury carmakers Mercedes, Audi, BMW expect robust sales this festive season

<keyword id="21424173" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="German-automaker-Audi" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="German automaker Audi" meta.hostid="153" meta.entityid="German automaker Audi">German automaker Audi</keyword> on Thursday said it will hike prices of its model range in India by up to 2 per cent from June, in order to offset the impact of rising input and transportation costs. The price hike will be effective from June 01, 2024, the automaker said in a statement. "Rising input costs are compelling us to increase prices by up to 2 per cent effective June 1, 2024," <keyword id="19911529" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Audi" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Audi" meta.hostid="153" meta.entityid="Audi">Audi</keyword> India Head Balbir Singh Dhillon said. The price correction aims to ensure sustainable growth for the automaker and its dealer partners, he added. "It's our endeavour that the impact of rising costs is as minimal as possible for our customers," Dhillon said. Audi India retailed 7,027 units in FY24 posting an overall 33 per cent sales growth. The company sells models like A4, Q3, Q5, RS Q8 in India. SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/jiocinema-introduces-new-ad-free-premium-plans-starting-at-29/articleshow/109581033.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/jiocinema-introduces-new-ad-free-premium-plans-starting-at-29/articleshow/109581033.cms" target="_blank">An Ambani disruption in OTT: At just ₹1 per day, you can now enjoy ad-free content on JioCinema</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/realme-narzo-70-narzo-70x-5g-smartphones-launched-in-india-starting-at-11999/articleshow/109557895.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/realme-narzo-70-narzo-70x-5g-smartphones-launched-in-india-starting-at-11999/articleshow/109557895.cms" target="_blank">Realme Narzo 70, Narzo 70X 5G smartphones launched in India starting at ₹11,999</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/apple-let-loose-event-scheduled-for-may-7-ipads-expected-to-be-launched/articleshow/109553148.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/apple-let-loose-event-scheduled-for-may-7-ipads-expected-to-be-launched/articleshow/109553148.cms" target="_blank">Apple Let Loose event scheduled for May 7 – New iPad models expected to be launched</a>

Audi to hike vehicle prices by up to 2% from June

Luxury carmaker <keyword id="6363321" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="audi" source="Orion">Audi</keyword> <keyword id="3658" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="india" source="Orion">India</keyword> on Tuesday said its sales witnessed over two-fold jump at 1,950 units in the January-March <keyword id="15308631" type="TOPIC" weightage="60" keywordseo="Quarter" source="TOPIC" sourcekeytype="equity,investopedia" meta.keywordsubtype="null" meta.msid="92652086" meta.seopath="q/quarter" meta.entityname="Quarter" meta.hostid="153" meta.entityid="quarter">quarter</keyword> this year as compared with the same period last year. The company had sold 862 units in the first quarter of 2022. "Our <keyword id="15330375" type="TOPIC" weightage="60" keywordseo="Product" source="TOPIC" sourcekeytype="marketing,investopedia" meta.keywordsubtype="null" meta.seopath="p/product" meta.entityname="Product" meta.hostid="153" meta.entityid="product">product</keyword> line-up boasts of sixteen models and we currently have the strongest ever SUV <keyword id="15309292" type="TOPIC" weightage="60" keywordseo="Portfolio" source="TOPIC" sourcekeytype="equity,investopedia" meta.keywordsubtype="null" meta.seopath="p/portfolio" meta.entityname="Portfolio" meta.hostid="153" meta.entityid="portfolio">portfolio</keyword> contributing to over 60 per cent of our total sales," Audi India head Balbir Singh Dhillon said in a statement. The newly launched Q3 and Q3 Sportback are witnessing strong <keyword id="15308237" type="TOPIC" weightage="60" keywordseo="Demand" source="TOPIC" sourcekeytype="economy,investopedia" meta.keywordsubtype="null" meta.msid="92562122" meta.seopath="d/demand" meta.entityname="Demand" meta.hostid="153" meta.entityid="demand">demand</keyword> from across the country, he added. "We are on a growth path and are confident of a bullish performance through the year 2023," Dhillon noted. The company said it also continues the expansion of its pre-owned car business, Audi Approved: plus, in India. Currently operating with twentytwo outlets across all major hubs in the country, the brand is rapidly expanding and will have twentyfive-plus pre-owned car facilities by the end of the year, it added. Audi sells A4, A6, A8 L, Q3, Q3 Sportback, Q5, Q7, Q8, S5 Sportback, RS5 Sportback, RS Q8, e-tron 50, e-tron 55, e-tron Sportback 55, e-tron GT and RS e-tron GT in the Indian market. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/youtube-announces-new-policies-on-eating-disorder-content/articleshow/99607321.cms">YouTube announces new policies on eating disorder content</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/demat-account-additions-slow-as-markets-languish-upstox-icici-securities-5paisa-capital-lose-market-share/articleshow/99607157.cms">Demat account additions slow as markets languish; Upstox, ICICI Securities, 5Paisa Capital lose market share</a>

Audi India reports over two-fold jump in sales in January-March quarter

Ingolstadt, Luxury automaker <keyword id="19911529" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="audi" source="keywords">Audi</keyword> India is looking to commence local assembly of electric vehicles, a move which would help it roll out models at an affordable price helping expand its customer base in the country. The automaker currently imports its entire EV range comprising Q8 50 e-tron, Q8 55 e-tron, Q8 <keyword id="21011482" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sportback" source="keywords">Sportback</keyword> 50 e-tron, Q8 Sportback 55 e-tron, e-tron GT, and RS e-tron GT, into the country. It, however, assembles petrol models like Q3, Q3 Sportback, Q5, Q7, A4, and A6 at its Aurangabad (Maharashtra) based manufacturing plant. In an interaction with PTI here, Audi India Head Balbir <keyword id="20078416" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="singh-dhillon" source="keywords">Singh Dhillon</keyword> said the local manufacturing of EVs is a work in progress with active discussions going on with its global headquarters. "We are working with Audi AG very positively and hopefully at some point in time we will be able to announce this (local assembly of EV models)," he noted. When asked about the expected timeline of commencing the process, Dhillon did not share any specific date but stated that the India unit is discussing the matter with the global headquarters very "positively". "Hopefully we should have some solution at some point in time. That is the time when you can reach even more (set of customers) because then you will get the best advantage in terms of price point," he said. He further said, "I think the next 2-3 years will be very crucial (2024-2026). These years will see many more new electric cars coming at different price points. Then I think our reach to our existing customers or first-time buyers will go up." The company's current EV model lineup is priced over Rs 1 crore thus serving a very niche set of customers. Currently, cars imported into India as Completely Built Units (CBUs) attract customs duty ranging from 60 per cent to 100 per cent. The country's customs duty system treats electric cars and hydrocarbon-powered vehicles equally, imposing significant tariffs to encourage domestic manufacturing. Audi, globally, is looking to introduce multiple electric models in the next 2-3 years many of which would also come to India thus helping the Indian operations to choose which ones to localise. In order to rev up sales volume, Audi India would look out for models which sit below the current range in price terms. The company currently gets around 2 per cent of its total sales from EVs. It reported 89 per cent growth in retail sales in India at 7,931 units last year as compared with a total of 4,187 units in 2022. Audi on Monday evening globally premiered the Q6 e-tron, a new EV model which would sit below the Q8 e-tron range. To be manufactured at the company's Ingolstadt plant, the model is expected to roll out in various markets globally this year. It is also expected to make its way to Indian shores early next year. Dhillon said the model would help in widening the company's customer base in India. "That's the expectation that our penetration in electric mobility should go up with this model (Q6 e-tron)," he noted. Audi expects 50 per cent of its sales in India to come from electric vehicles by 2030. Globally, Audi has decided to become a fully electric vehicle manufacturer from 2033 onwards. The Q6 e-tron is the first production model on the company's <keyword id="21011483" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="premium-platform-electric" source="keywords">Premium Platform Electric</keyword> (<keyword id="19989989" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ppe" source="keywords">PPE</keyword>), marking the next step in the company's transformation into a provider of premium electric mobility. The electric SUV will be available to order from this month with deliveries expected to customers in the third quarter of 2024. The Q6 e-tron comes with a range of up to 625 kms. "The PPE shows how we are pooling expertise within the <keyword id="20139313" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="volkswagen-group" source="keywords">Volkswagen Group</keyword> and thus making electric mobility scalable," Audi AG Chairman of the Board of Management Gernot Dollner said. Thanks to the PPE, the company is able to launch high-volume models with high technical standards in different segments, he added.

Local production of EVs a work in progress: Audi India Head

German auto maker <keyword id="19911529" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="audi" source="keywords">Audi</keyword> is bullish on <keyword id="19895063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="india" source="keywords">India</keyword> but believes that till the time high taxes rationalise to a lower level, penetration of luxury cars in the country will continue to remain low compared to South East Asian countries, according to a senior company official. Audi expects growth of the luxury car market in India to moderate to low double digits in 2024 compared to around 25 per cent in 2023. "The overall car industry is growing, as well as the luxury segment is growing. Last year was one of the biggest numbers that the industry could achieve, which is also in line with the overall growth of the country," Audi India Head Balbir Singh <keyword id="20078415" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="dhillon" source="keywords">Dhillon</keyword> told PTI. He further said, "(India's) GDP is growing, all the parameters that you see for the growth of automotive industry is showing an upward direction. So we believe we are in the right space at a good time and it's time for India and we will continue to grow as well." Dhillon was responding to a query on how Audi is looking at India as a market for its overall growth strategy from a global perspective. On the potential of the Indian market, Dhillon said, "If I compare the Indian luxury (car) space, I would still say we are in the nascent stage. "We (industry) sold about 48,500 cars last year, which is just a little over 1 per cent of the overall car industry. So we still are very small in terms of the percentage and the Southeast Asian market." In many countries in that region the penetration of luxury cars to the overall car market is in the range of five to six per cent and in some markets as high as 20 per cent, he said. "So I think we have still a lot of area to cover," he said, adding, a rationalisation of taxes to lower level will help fuel the growth of luxury car market in India further. "We do see this trend that overall, in some point in time, the taxation structures will get rationalised (and) the industry will also grow much faster," he said. As of now, the overall tax rate (GST plus cess) on most of luxury cars are about 50 per cent, he added. "I'm sure at some point in time it will rationalise that will give us a kick-start for a very fast growth, till that it will continue to grow maybe at a lower space," he said. When asked about the outlook for the year, Dhillon said, "(Audi India) grew by almost 90 per cent last year and the industry grew by about 27 per cent. "So, we do see the industry growing also in 2024, but may not, may not be to the extent of 25-26 per cent but low double digit and we also see ourselves growing in the same range in 2024 as well." Last Audi India sold 7,931 units in 2023 as against 4,187 units in 2022. SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/indian-smartphone-market-flat-in-2023-after-q4-boost-apple-crosses-10-million-mark/articleshow/107419298.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/indian-smartphone-market-flat-in-2023-after-q4-boost-apple-crosses-10-million-mark/articleshow/107419298.cms" target="_blank">Indian smartphone market flat in 2023 after Q4 boost; Apple crosses 10 million mark</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/ola-electric-continues-to-lead-the-segment-in-electric-scooters-in-january-2024/articleshow/107424791.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/ola-electric-continues-to-lead-the-segment-in-electric-scooters-in-january-2024/articleshow/107424791.cms" target="_blank">Electric scooter sales grow 26% in January as Bajaj, Ather jostle behind TVS and Ola</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/webstories/upcoming-smartphones-launching-in-india-in-february-2024/slidelist/107220575.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/webstories/upcoming-smartphones-launching-in-india-in-february-2024/slidelist/107220575.cms" target="_blank">Samsung to Nothing – The upcoming smartphones hitting Indian market in February</a>

Bullish on India; luxury car penetration expected to remain low till tax rationalisation: Audi

New Delhi, Dec 29 () German automobile company Audi expects Indian luxury car market to remain flat next year and growth to come in only in 2021, having gone through a challenging 2019.
The company, which is set to kick off 2020 with the launch of its flagship SUV Q8 in January followed by new version of A8 sedan in February, is cautiously optimistic about the year that will mark the transition to stricter emission norm BS-VI.
"In terms of growth estimates for the luxury car market, we estimate it to remain flat in 2020 and we are hopeful of positive growth starting 2021," Audi India Head Balbir Singh Dhillon said.
Indian luxury car market, comprising top five players -- Mercedes, BMW, Audi, JLR and Volvo, witnessed a total sales of 40,340 units in 2018 and is expected to see a decline in 2019. The companies are, however, yet to release their up to date sales data.
"2019 was a challenging year for the automotive industry, thereby building the pressure on new car sales," Dhillon said.
The company has launched Audi A4 Quick-lift, Audi Q7 Black-edition and all-new Audi A6 this year.
Apart from the current situation of the economy affecting consumer sentiments, car makers are cautious about the impact of increased prices due to transition to BS-VI from BS-IV.
"Effective April 1, 2020 India will take a leap into BS-VI from BS-IV at present, driving all manufacturers to make adjustments to their product offerings in India and so will we," he said about the challenge.
Reiterating that 2020 is an important year for Audi, Dhillon said,"We remain focused on the India market. Under our 'Strategy 2025' goals, we will remain focused on customer centricity and network sustainability".
Expressing optimism about 2020, he said Audi "will kick start the year with the launch of the Audi Q8 in January followed by the Audi A8 in February and other new products that will set the tone for the year." RKL BAL

Indian luxury car market to be flat in 2020, growth to return in 2021: Audi

<ul><li><keyword id="25952" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mercedes-Benz">Mercedes-Benz</keyword> India on Friday said it remained the market leader in the domestic luxury car segment for the fifth straight year in 2019.</li><li>In the December quarter, the Pune-based company clocked sales growth of 3.3 per cent, selling 3,781 unit.</li><li>Rival <keyword id="6355119" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="bmw">BMW</keyword> saw its volumes dip 13.8 per cent to 9,641 units in 2019 from 11,105 units in 2018.</li></ul>Mercedes-Benz India on Friday said it remained the market leader in the domestic luxury car segment for the fifth straight year in 2019, selling 13,786 units.
 However, this was 12.7 per cent lower from 2018, when it had sold 15,538 units.
 In the December quarter, the Pune-based company clocked sales growth of 3.3 per cent, selling 3,781 units -- its highest ever quarterly volume, it said in a statement.
 The company also sounded bullish about 2020 and said it will continue with its product offensive, which will begin with the launch of an all-new GLE on January 28.
 The company said it could maintain its pole position on the back of a record 54 per cent growth in its performance vehicles segment led by the CLA, GLA and GLS models, whose new generation variants will be available from Q2 of 2020.
 Mercedes will also be the first luxury car maker to completely transition into BS-VI portfolio with petrol and diesel models shortly.
 "Amidst strong macroeconomic headwinds, our volumes in Q4 also grew by 15.41 percent from Q3 2019, taking the overall volume to 13,786 units in 2019, down 12.7 percent from 2018," the company said.
 Against this, rival BMW saw its volumes dip 13.8 per cent to 9,641 units in 2019 from 11,105 units in 2018. The German carmaker despatched 9,000 BMWs and 641 Minis in the year. Besides, its two-wheeler brand BMW Motorrad sold 2,403 motorcycles last year.
 The third German player Audi is yet to disclose its sales numbers.
 Mercedes-Benz India Managing Director and Chief Executive Martin Schwenk said, "We are satisfied with our performance in 2019 despite facing strong macroeconomic headwinds, specifically in the first three quarters. We were able to positively influence customer sentiment with our solutions and achieved the new best ever Q4."
 The year 2020 is going to be another important year for the firm and it continues to be optimistic about mid- to long-term prospects, he added.
 The company had an overwhelming response to its entire BS-IV portfolio and it is now ready with the all-new BS-VI range, ahead of the deadline, he said.
 This year the market will witness a strong product offensive from Mercedes-Benz, beginning with the new GLE, followed by some of the most significant product introductions from its global portfolio, including those without any predecessors, Schwenk said. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/auto-earnings-maruti-suzuki-could-gain-from-q3fy20-analysts-predict-revenue-fall-for-tata-motors-mahindra/articleshow/73165324.cms">Festive sales might bring cheer for Maruti as Tata Motors and Mahindra to remain in the red, predict analysts</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/car-sales-in-india-declined-even-during-the-festive-season/articleshow/72003380.cms">Car sales in India declined even during the festive season</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/slideshows/from-tata-to-maruti-these-are-indias-top-auto-newsmakers-of-2019-mostly-for-the-wrong-reasons/slidelist/72812217.cms">From Tata To Maruti, These Are India’s Top Auto Newsmakers Of 2019 – Mostly For The Wrong Reasons</a>

Mercedes remains India's top luxury car maker for the fifth year in a row

New Delhi, Jan 26 () High GST rates, import duties and registration taxes are limiting the growth of luxury car market in India and the government must consider reducing these in the upcoming Budget, according to German luxury car maker Audi.
The company, which saw 28.92 per cent decline in sales at 4,594 units in 2019 as against 6,463 units in 2018, said every major player in the luxury segment saw decline in sales last year and government support would help in overcoming the downturn.
"Luxury car sales are impacted by high GST rates, import duties and registration taxes, which is limiting the segment to a mere 1.2 per cent of the overall car market; when compared to other global markets," Audi India head Balbir Singh Dhillon said.
He further said, "Every major luxury car player has de-grown in volumes during 2019."
Hence, Dhillon said, "We would urge the government/GST council to reduce GST, import duties and rationalise the vehicle registration cost on luxury cars, across the country."
Indian luxury car market comprising top five players -- Mercedes, BMW, Audi, JLR and Volvo -- witnessed a total sales of 40,340 units in 2018 and is expected to see a decline in 2019. Some of the companies are, however, yet to release their up to date sales data.
Luxury car market leader Mercedes Benz had reported 11.28 per cent decline in retail sales at 13,786 units in 2019 as compared to 15,538 units in 2018, while German compatriot BMW reported 13.8 per cent dip in its sales at 9,641 units in India last year as compared with 11,105 units sold in 2018.
Dhillon further said, "Easy lending by the banks and NBFCs will help expand the market and boost the overall automotive industry."
Stating that the government has placed a definitive emphasis on electric vehicles, he, however, said setting up of necessary charging infrastructure is key to the success of the EV-centric ecosystem.
"It is also worthwhile to mention that plug-in hybrid vehicles should also be encouraged with lower GST, import duties and registration taxes. This will encourage customers to take the first step towards PHEVs (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) and eventually move to electric mobility in India," he added. RKL MKJ

Higher taxes, other levies hurting luxury car sales; govt must address: Audi India head

<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"></div></div></div>Audi increased sales of luxury cars 11 percent in November to 146,250 vehicles, its best-ever result for that month, bolstered by double-digit growth in the United States and China.
Deliveries in the January-to-November period were up 10 percent to 1.59 million autos, already beating last year's record 1.58 million in sales, Ingolstadt-based Audi said on Tuesday.
German rival Mercedes-Benz posted a 13 percent gain in November sales to a record 150,742 cars, extending the year-to-date increase to 12 percent or 1.49 million.
Audi's success contrasts with the struggles of parent company Volkswagen, which has been challenged in recent year to develop the right mix of cars and trucks in the U.S. 
Volkswagen has the goal of matching the success of General Motors and Toyota globally, but in the U.S. the carmaker has modest market share and isn't selling the big trucks and SUVs that are now popular with American buyers.
(Reporting by Andreas Cremer; Editing by Jonathan Gould)

Audi Sales Are Absolutely Killing It

The Indian government is planning to increase the cess on large vehicles and if implemented, it may hurt the luxury car market. The luxury car market, which was upbeat about lower GST rate on large vehicles, may see a steep fall in sales if the cess is increased. The demand was increasing due to lower <keyword id="3808420" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="gst-on-luxury-cars">GST on luxury cars</keyword> but the decision of the <keyword id="6355040" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="gst-council">GST Council</keyword> to increase the cess from 15% to 25% will take the total tax incidence to 53%, hurting the segment’s dream of double digit growth. Rahil Ansari, director for the <keyword id="6363321" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Audi">Audi</keyword> brand in India, told ET the company had budgeted for double-digit growth, but now it may be the opposite. "I am not sure what the main factors behind the change in rates are ... If the cess were to go up by 10%, then we expect a double digit decline in sales, probably around 20%," said Ansari. <keyword id="25952" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mercedes-Benz">Mercedes-Benz</keyword>, Audi and <keyword id="6355119" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="BMW">BMW</keyword> had forecast double-digit growth, post GST but higher cess has thrown a spanner in their plans. "We were looking at expanding our dealership, we were looking at local manufacturing of more products, because market was looking healthy and double-digit growth will spur us to get more products and have a positive business case. But now we are going back to the drawing board and questioning the business case. Now we cannot expand dealership, cannot hire more people," India head of Jaguar <keyword id="44719" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Land-Rover">Land Rover</keyword>, Rohit Suri, ET.

Luxury car market’s dream of double growth may hit a roadblock. Here’s why

<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image">Thomson ReutersDaimler CEO Zetsche presents the new Mercedes-AMG GT3 race car during the first press day ahead of the 85th International Motor Show in Geneva.</div></div></div>Mercedes-Benz sold more than 150,000 luxury cars worldwide in January.This represents a 20% jump in sales over the same month in 2015."We continued the positive development of record year 2015 in January, and started the new year successfully," Mercedes-Benz Cars marketing and sales boss Ola Källenius said in a statement.In the process, the three-pointed star overtook previous luxury sales king BMW which reported sales of 134,000 cars over the same period - an increase of 7.5%. In fact, BMW was also overtaken by Audi which delivered more than 143,000 cars last month - an increase of 4%."We started the new year at a good pace and delivered more cars than ever before in a January," Audi sales chief Dietmar Voggenreiter said in a statement. "We have gained new customers in the Americas, Europe and Asia. That shows how balanced our growth strategy is."Mercedes' stellar January follows up on the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/bmw-is-big-winner-in-2015-sales-race-2016-1" target="_blank">company's resurgent 2015 </a>which saw the company deliver more than 1.87 million cars world wide - a 13.4% increase over 2014.However, the Stuttgart-based luxury brand still lagged behind BMW, which moved nearly 1.91 million cars last year. Audi delivered 1.8 million cars worldwide in 2015.Mercedes' recent success comes as the company has revamped its lineup with a heavy focus on offering customers wider selection of crossover SUVs and entry-level models. The result is increased sales in a high-growth, high-profit margin segment of the market and the addition of new buyers into the brand ladder. With that said, BMW is content with the level of growth the company has exhibited in an unstable global market."We are pleased to see the sustainable levels of growth we achieved in 2015 continuing into this year," BMW AG's head of sales, Dr Ian Robertson said in a statement. "Despite many markets showing continuing volatility, we remain optimistic that this positive trend will continue through 2016, our company's centenary year." <div class="margin-top"> <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/futuristic-bmw-mirrors-cameras-blind-spots-2016-1">This futuristic BMW has no mirrors</a></h3> <div> <div> <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="ZvMjQ2MDE6yxASSkHS4vsPLzxU6eAngG" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div> </div> </div> </div>

BMW just fell behind Mercedes and Audi in sales

BMWThe 2018 BMW X3.On Monday, BMW unveiled the all-new 2018 X3 SUV at its plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Since its introduction in 2003, the X3 has developed into one of BMW's most important models. Now, BMW has rearmed with an all-new third generation X3. Once upon a time, success for a German luxury brand required a world-class compact sedan. Fortunately for BMW, the 3-Series has been the gold standard in a category for the better part of four decades. These days, things have changed. The entry point into the German luxury is no longer through sedans, but rather through compact SUVs. This is reflected in the fact sales of the 3 Series has been in persistent decline for years while the X3 has experienced double-digit growth even though the second-generation model has been around for better part of a decade. Hence the importance of having an adequate rival to Audi's new Q5, Mercedes' CLC, and Porsche's Macan. BMWSo what's new with the X3?First, the third generation model gets all new sheet metal with same design language as the smaller X1 and larger X5. At the same time, BMW has improved the X3's aerodynamic properties with better-regulated air flow around the car using active grille shudders, underbody cladding, and a rear spoiler. Underneath its skin, the X3's chassis has been re-engineered to reduce unsprung mass and its wheelbase extended to reach perfect 50-50 weight distribution. BMWPower for the base X3 will come from a 248 horsepower, 2.0 liter TwinPower turbocharged inline-four-cylinder engine. Mated to an eight-speed automatic, BMW claims the X3 can make the sprint to 60mph from a standstill in 6.0 seconds and reach a top speed of 130. Higher grade X3s can opt for a 3.0 liter, 335 horsepower turbocharged inline-six-cylinder unit. In performance "M" spec, BMW says the new X3 can the 0-60 mph run in just 4.6 seconds and hit a top speed of 155 mph.Inside, the cabin, the X3 gets the latest goodies from BMW's high-tech bag of tricks. This includes a larger, full-color heads-up display as well as a 10.25-inch touchscreen running the latest version of BMW's iDrive infotainment system. In addition, the X3 gets BMW's gesture control technology that will allow passengers to answer phone calls and adjust the volume of the radio with a wave of the hand or twirl of the finger. BMWThe new X3 also get BMW's latest driver's assistance and crash prevention technology. This includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, cross traffic alert, and frontal collision mitigation. Official pricing for the 2018 BMW X3 will be announced at a later date. The third generation is expected to hit US showrooms in November. <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/bmw-ces-transportation-vehicle-car-bmwi-inside-future-2017-1">BMW just showed off the futuristic interior of its next-gen cars</a></h3> Please enable Javascript to watch this video

You Searched For "audi sales growth" and got 12 results

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Indian luxury car market to be flat in 2020, growth to return in 2021: Audi

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Luxury car market’s dream of double growth may hit a roadblock. Here’s why

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BMW just fell behind Mercedes and Audi in sales

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BMW's all-new X3 SUV is ready to battle Audi and Mercedes

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