Mercedes-Benz Malaysia registers 20% sales increase for Q1 2010
Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) yesterday released a statement announcing the company’s sales performance for the first quarter 2010. From January to March 2010, the company sold 1,089 cars, a 20% increase from the 908 managed in the corresponding period for 2009.
Driving the impressive growth is the newly-launched W212 E-Class, which has immediately conquered 60% of the market share in its segment with 435 units sold. In recent chats with MBM personnel, we were told that the waiting period for the E-Class now stands at 4-5 months, down from 7-8 months at one stage. Currently, the E-Class range in Malaysia comprises of the E 200 CGI, E 250 CGI, and the E 300.
Further up the food chain, the recently facelifted S-Class exerts a similarly strong dominance of its market segment, holding a 56% market share with a total of 75 units sold. The M-Class SUV, meanwhile, registered a staggering 500% jump in sales figures.
The bread & butter model, the C-Class, boosted by two new variants – C 200 CGI and C 250 CGI – saw sales jump by 21% registering 510 units for Q1 2010, in comparison to 423 sold in Q1 2009. Also added to the C-Class model range are limited numbers of the C 300 Avantgarde Estate, brought in CBU from Germany.
“Mercedes-Benz Malaysia’s first quarter performance clearly reflects the resilience of the auto industry and is also a testament to the excellent brand value of Mercedes-Benz which places us in a market leading position with 42 per cent share, which is seven per cent ahead of our nearest competitor, of the premium passenger car market.
“We are definitely on the right track after a dip last year. The performance to date is very gratifying and I am delighted with the strong demand for our passenger cars especially the encouraging interest in the newly launched S-Class and C-Class this year,” said Peter Honegg, President & CEO.
“With Mercedes-Benz, our customers recognise that they get the best in premium passenger cars and we are continuously looking at ways to enhance the customer experience from the moment they step into our showroom. With the positive market trends and encouraging feedback from our dealers, we are confident 2010 would be a good year as there are countless opportunities for growth,” said Honegg.
Recently, MBM also sprung a pleasant surprise when it unveiled the awesome SLS AMG supercar – the first car developed ground up by the AMG division.
“The SLS-AMG is just magnificent. You have to experience it (ed: We agree, Mr Honegg. Test drive date?) to understand why the SLS-AMG is the talk of the town. We are really excited to be able to bring it in to cater to the super car enthusiasts in Malaysia,” he said.
MBM’s commercial vehicle division, which also recently launched the new generation Mitsubishi Fuso Canter, also reported positive figures. The entire commercial vehicle’s division registered a growth of 50%, with the Mitsubishi Fuso trucks accounting for 416 units sold – a 65% increase from the previous year.
“These are early days yet. We are nevertheless cautiously optimistic about our commercial vehicles segment this year. The gradual recovery we are witnessing within the markets should positively impact our performance as the year moves on. FUSO has a head start and its numbers are an encouraging sign for our trucks market,” Honegg added.
Worldwide, Mercedes-Benz passenger vehicles registered a similarly impressive 15% increase in sales from 216,000 in Q1 2009 to 248,500 in Q1 2010. China was particularly impressive, surging from 11,800 in Q1 2009 to 24,100 in Q1 2010 – a 105% increase.
Primary contributor of the brand’s outstanding growth was, you guessed it, the new E-Class. It’s first quarter worldwide sales almost doubled from that sold in Q1 2009, selling 45,700 units in Q1 2010.
