|
Mercedes-Benz has recorded the highest volume growth for the first half of this
year, ahead of its closest rivals.
The brand has posted an impressive 11 per cent increase year-to-date compared
to the same period last year, according to official VFACTS figures released
today. Internationally, Mercedes-Benz recorded its best ever June result,
quarter result and the best first half of sales ever.
“The expansion of the Mercedes model line-up has helped contribute to our
impressive sales for the first six months of this year,” said Horst von Sanden,
managing director for Mercedes Car Group in Australia.
“It is great to see that customers are reacting positively to the
Mercedes-Benz model expansion which seeks to offer the premium product in each
market segment competed in.
“We anticipate that this sales growth will continue for the second half of
2006, with the introduction of the new generation E-Class, the all new GL-Class,
the full availability of new engine variants across our product range and with
the continuing popularity of the S-Class, M-Class, B-Class A-Class and R-Class,”
he said.
The new S-Class, the luxury flagship from Mercedes-Benz, which was released
in Australia in February, continues to dominate the upper large greater than
$100,000 segment with year-to-date sales of 265 units. This class leading
vehicle, boasting a host of technical innovations will soon be joined by the all
new V8 S 450 and the unsurpassed S 65 AMG in the fourth quarter this year.
The all new M-Class has recorded 1,324 units year-to-date, representing a 148
per cent increase over the same period last year. The M-Class range will soon be
joined by the entry level new V6 diesel ML 280 CDI in September, set to increase
diesel sales in the M-Class range.
With the dimensions of a compact car and the interior spaciousness of an SUV,
the B-Class range has proven very popular with customers. Consisting of the B
200, B 200 TURBO and the recently released diesel B 180 CDI, 728 customers have
taken delivery in only nine months on sale, well above company expectations.
With the B 180 CDI now available in Mercedes-Benz dealerships around the
country, the first compact diesel from Mercedes-Benz will add to the appeal of
the B-Class range.
The luxurious CLS-Class, introduced into Australia in June last year, has
also greatly exceeded company expectations with 815 vehicles delivered to
customers in its first full year on sale.
In April this year, Mercedes-Benz debuted the versatile and luxurious
six-seater R-Class. Close to 100 customers have taken delivery of an R-Class,
with the most popular being the top of the range R 500 long wheelbase.
The product offensive continues for the brand in the second half of 2006 with
the new generation E-Class due to arrive in September, the all new 63 AMG models
and the premium large seven-seater luxury four-wheel drive GL-Class arriving in
November.
| 
