Shah Rukh Khan imports Cadillac Escalade V-Series, pays over ₹5 crore

Cadillac Escalade V-Series spotted in Mumbai; celebrity import highlights steep duties on luxury cars

Shah Rukh Khan's new Cadillac Escalade V-Series, a jet-black, right-hand-drive SUV, was seen on Mumbai roads on Sunday morning, drawing attention not just for the star behind the wheel but for the hefty import costs that make such vehicles rare in India. The appearance underscores how private imports and conversion work push the final bill well beyond the overseas price.

Rare on Indian roads
The Escalade V-Series is not sold through official Cadillac dealerships in India because General Motors has no retail presence in the country. According to sources familiar with the matter and reports from automotive portals, the actor privately imported the vehicle from the United States and had it converted from left-hand drive (LHD) to right-hand drive (RHD) before registration in Mumbai.

Conversion and logistics
Initial reports indicate Shah Rukh Khan paid roughly ₹30 lakh for the bespoke LHD-to-RHD conversion — a specialized process involving steering, dashboard and safety-system modifications to meet Indian road requirements. Freight, marine insurance and port handling added further costs, sources said.

High import duties
Car-to-consumer cost escalation is steep in such cases. The Escalade V-Series has a starting price of about $120,000 overseas (roughly ₹1.15 crore at current exchange rates). But import duties, cess and related charges typically multiply the landed cost. Industry and legal-advisory reports suggest the final outlay crossed ₹5 crore — more than four times the vehicle’s international list price.

According to trade and taxation analyses, cars priced above $40,000 face very high import duty rates, often close to 100%, while vehicles under that threshold can attract around 70% tariff. These levies, plus other charges, explain why privately imported, fully built cars remain largely restricted to affluent buyers or celebrity collectors.

Celebrity garages and the market
Shah Rukh Khan’s Escalade joins an expanding roster of ultra-luxury imports owned by Indian celebrities. Automotive listings compiled by industry portals show several high-value vehicles in star garages — from limited-run Ferraris to bespoke Rolls-Royces — many of which were similarly imported and converted prior to registration.

Market context
Even with heavy taxation, India’s luxury car segment has grown in recent years. Sales figures compiled by industry trackers show retail numbers rising from around 38,000 units in 2022 to more than 51,000 in 2024, and approximately 52,000 in 2025. By value, the market is estimated at about $1.44–1.52 billion (over ₹12,000 crore), with German brands Mercedes‑Benz, BMW and Audi accounting for roughly 85% of sales volumes.

Regulatory backdrop
Trade experts note that while multilateral talks such as a prospective India‑EU free trade agreement could reduce tariffs for certain regions over time, private imports from the US remain heavily taxed because an India‑US trade pact that would alter such duties is not in force. Legal and customs advisers reiterate that importers bear the full brunt of customs duty, Integrated Goods and Services Tax (IGST), cess and other applicable levies.

Ground-level reaction
Onlookers near the actor’s Bandra residence described a brief flurry of attention when the black Escalade rolled by in late morning, with fans and paparazzi gathering for photos. Dealers and mechanics in Mumbai’s luxury-auto circles said demand for bespoke conversions persists, though the process remains costly and time-consuming.

What next
Industry watchers say Khan’s high-profile import could spur renewed interest among wealthy buyers who see celebrity purchases as trend indicators. But the steep tariff regime and complex conversion and homologation requirements will likely keep private imports a niche affair rather than a mainstream option.

For now, the Escalade’s Mumbai run highlights the economics behind celebrity car collections: overseas sticker price is only the start — duties, logistics and modifications can multiply the final sum several times.