India Becomes First Hub Outside the U.S. to Assemble Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600
By Cygnus | 14 Jan 2026
Mercedes-Benz India has begun local production of its ultra-luxury flagship SUV, the Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600, marking a major milestone in the company’s “Made in India” strategy.
The move makes India the first market outside the United States to locally assemble the Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600, underscoring India’s growing importance in Mercedes-Benz’s global top-end vehicle strategy.
“India is now among the top five global markets for the Maybach brand,” said Santosh Iyer, Managing Director and CEO of Mercedes-Benz India.
Shift from CBU to local assembly cuts price by ₹42 lakh
Mercedes-Benz said the transition from Completely Built Unit (CBU) imports to local assembly at its Chakan plant has enabled a significant reduction in pricing.
The Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 is now priced at ₹2.75 crore, down from ₹3.17 crore earlier — a reduction of around ₹42 lakh, primarily due to lower duties applicable to locally assembled models.
Mercedes-Benz said localization is being positioned not only as a pricing lever but also as a way to improve delivery timelines and availability.
2025 performance: record revenue despite lower volumes
Mercedes-Benz India said it delivered a strong financial performance in 2025, reporting its best-ever revenue year, even as total volumes declined marginally to 19,007 units.
The company attributed growth to continued momentum in its Top-End Vehicle (TEV) segment, which it said grew 11% year-on-year, supported by demand for high-end SUVs and luxury variants.
2026 roadmap: 12 launches and electrification push
Mercedes-Benz India described 2026 as an “action-packed year,” with plans for 12 new product introductions, including new models and updates.
On the EV side, the company released its Sustainability Compendium Report 2026 and expanded its charging ecosystem.
Mercedes-Benz said it has scaled up its MB.Charge Public network, which offers EV customers access to more than 9,000 DC charging points across India through a single app interface, integrating multiple charging operators.
Summary
Mercedes-Benz India has started local assembly of the Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 at its Chakan facility, making India the first market outside the U.S. to produce the ultra-luxury model. Localization has reduced the GLS Maybach price to ₹2.75 crore from ₹3.17 crore earlier. Mercedes-Benz India said India is now among the top five global markets for Maybach, and outlined an aggressive 2026 roadmap with 12 launches and further expansion of its EV charging ecosystem through MB.Charge Public.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Q1: Is the India-assembled Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 different from the imported model?
Mercedes-Benz said the model retains global specifications while benefiting from lower taxation due to local assembly.
Q2: Why did the price fall sharply?
The price reduction is linked to the shift from CBU imports to local assembly, which lowers duties and improves cost structure.
Q3: Which markets are key for Maybach globally?
Mercedes-Benz India said India is now among the brand’s top global Maybach markets.
Q4: What is MB.Charge Public?
It is Mercedes-Benz’s integrated public charging access service, allowing EV owners to locate, authenticate, and pay for charging across multiple networks through one interface.
Q5: Why did Mercedes-Benz India volumes decline in 2025?
The company said it recorded best-ever revenue despite marginally lower volumes, reflecting a premium-focused strategy supported by strong top-end demand.
