This SUV is the second model after the EQS sedan to be produced at Mercedes-Benz's plant in Pune. Managing Director and CEO Santosh Iyer told PTI, "This will be our sixth EV in India, and the second car to be locally produced in India. We are also proud that India becomes the first market out of the US to locally manufacture the EQS."
In the first nine months of this year, Mercedes-Benz India has introduced three new BEVs - EQA, EQS SUV 580, and Mercedes-Maybach EQS 680 SUV. The company now offers multiple electric vehicle options, including the EQA, EQB, EQE SUV, EQS SUV, EQS sedan, and Maybach EQS SUV 680.
Local production aims at promoting electrification and providing more choices to customers, according to Iyer. “EQS SUV's localisation underpins our deep commitment to grow the Indian luxury electric car market and reinforce our commitment for a greener and sustainable future,” he said. The move is in line with the Indian government’s Make-in-India initiative.
Iyer pointed out that local production helps in pricing the electric SUV competitively. On the demand for green vehicles, he said sales of EVs are growing in India, with high-end products gaining acceptance. “The EQA sedan which was introduced in India around 18 months back, we have sold more than 500 cars. It's a car costing more than INR 1.6 crore. Our total penetration of EVs is 5% today, it's growing. For sure, customer acceptance is there,” he noted.
He emphasized that the company is committed to offering luxury EVs with higher range and is not focusing on lower-priced products. “To bring products at lower price points, that is not our current strategy,” Iyer added.
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