ET Deep Dive: The Van That Ate the SUV

ET Deep Dive: The Van That Ate the SUV

From The Morning Brief by The Economic Times

April 19, 2026 · 9 min · Episode 940

About this episode

This episode explores how luxury MPVs have become the new status symbol among India's wealthy elite.

India's wealthy are quietly trading flash for function. The luxury MPV — long dismissed as a hotel shuttle or family hauler — has become the unlikely status symbol of the country's new-money elite. Founders close funding rounds from reclining rear seats. Executives hold confidential meetings behind privacy partitions. Celebrities vanish into near-silent cabins. The Toyota Vellfire, Lexus LM, and Mercedes-Benz V-Class are rewriting what luxury means: not the car you're seen stepping out of, but the private world you inhabit inside it. In a city where traffic consumes hours, the rear seat has become the new boardroom. Narrated by Anirban Chowdhury, this episode of the new TMB series ET Deep Dive is based on a story by Lijee Philip. Narrated by Anirban Chowdhury Check out other interesting episodes like: How Will a Volatile ₹ Impact You in 2026? , How Quick Commerce is Triggering a Health Crisis for Gen Z , Two Women Fought to Change India's Maternity Laws...and Succeeded , Can India Truly End Naxalism? , Semaglutide Goes Generic: Big Pharma’s Moat Breaks   and much more . Catch the latest episode of ‘The Morning Brief’ on The Economic Times Online…

People in this episode

Host: Anirban Chowdhury

Topics covered

  • luxury vehicles
  • MPV
  • status symbols
  • new-money elite
  • automotive trends

Keywords

  • luxury MPV
  • Toyota Vellfire
  • Lexus LM
  • Mercedes-Benz V-Class
  • new-money elite

Mentioned in this episode

Products: Toyota Vellfire, Lexus LM, Mercedes-Benz V-Class

Places: India

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