File Photo: A Lamborghini car is seen on a tow truck after being seized by Cubbon Park Traffic Police for alleged reckless driving near Anil Kumble Circle in Bengaluru on Sunday, March 22, 2026 | Photo Credit: ALLEN EGENUSE J

Mumbai has ranked seventh among the world’s most luxury car-obsessed cities, logging 1,29,940 monthly Google searches for premium automotive brands — placing it ahead of Los Angeles, Madrid and Toronto — according to a study by Stratstone, a UK-based luxury car retailer established in 1921.

The study, based on over 3.6 million Google searches across 50 of the world’s wealthiest cities, makes Mumbai the only Asian city in the global top ten, underscoring the rapid rise in premium automotive interest in India’s financial capital.

London topped the rankings with over 2,70,000 monthly searches, followed by Paris and Milan — cities that combine high wealth concentration with deep automotive heritage. New York and Sydney also feature prominently, but Mumbai’s seventh-place finish signals how emerging markets are increasingly shaping global luxury consumption patterns through digital engagement.

“Luxury cars have long been a symbol of status, style and performance, but interest in these vehicles varies significantly across the world,” a Stratstone spokesperson said. “This data gives a fascinating insight into global automotive culture.”

Mumbai’s market: volume, ultra-luxury and green

Within India, Mumbai holds the second spot in overall luxury car sales, contributing between 20 per cent and 23 per cent of national volumes. Delhi NCR leads on total units — accounting for roughly 29.4 per cent of national sales, driven by corporate demand and a dense concentration of high-net-worth individuals across its satellite cities — but Mumbai consistently rivals or surpasses the capital in the ultra-luxury and performance segments. Lamborghini, Ferrari, and top-tier Mercedes-Maybach registrations are disproportionately concentrated in the city relative to its overall market share.

Santosh Iyer, Managing Director of Mercedes-Benz India, told businessline that premiumisation in India is being driven as much by digital discovery as by purchasing power, with Mumbai’s concentration of high-net-worth individuals, a thriving pre-owned market, and strong social media influence expanding interest well beyond traditional buyers.

Mumbai anchors the western region, which holds a combined national market share of approximately 32.9 per cent. Maharashtra topped electric SUV and MPV sales charts in FY2026, signalling that Mumbai’s buyers are pivoting toward green luxury faster than most other metros.

The city’s vehicle mix is also shaped by its geography: unlike Delhi, where wide roads sustain demand for large SUVs, Mumbai’s dense traffic drives consistent demand for luxury sedans — particularly the Mercedes-Benz E-Class LWB — and compact luxury SUVs. Mercedes-Benz remains the top-selling luxury brand in Mumbai in FY2026, with BMW close behind after posting 14.5 per cent year-on-year growth nationally.

Search outpaces the showroom

The surge in search interest reflects a widening aspirational base even as actual ownership remains limited. India’s luxury car market sells an estimated 45,000–50,000 vehicles annually — growing faster than the broader passenger vehicle segment, but still a fraction of overall demand.

Rahul Sharma, who heads a luxury pre-owned car dealership in Lokhandwala, Mumbai, says the gap between curiosity and purchase is closing. “Rising incomes, younger buyers and easier financing are expanding the entry funnel into premium mobility,” he said, adding that his dealership has seen a sharp surge in enquiries for top-end brands in recent months.

High import duties and limited local assembly continue to constrain ownership despite rising demand, keeping conversion rates well below what search volumes suggest.

Porsche leads, GMA surprises

Porsche ranked as the most searched luxury car brand globally with nearly 6,89,000 monthly searches, followed by Lamborghini (4,84,030) and Ferrari (4,28,570). Gordon Murray Automotive (GMA), a British hypercar manufacturer, placed fourth with 3,54,500 searches, ahead of McLaren and Aston Martin, and topped city-level rankings in New York, Sydney and Melbourne, reflecting a growing appetite for niche exclusivity alongside established heritage brands.

Published on April 16, 2026