Mercedes-Benz Stays Top In Premium Segment - Record Q3 2016 Sales

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) rounded off a record third quarter performance in 2016, extending its lead in the premium car segment, and further galvanizing its position as the undisputed market leader.

After a cracking start to the year at the end of the first quarter, and maintaining their momentum through the first half of 2016, MBM now close Q3 with a 10 percent year-on-year growth, delivering a total of 9,047 cars in the first nine months of the year.

Much of the company’s performance is attributed to the diverse product portfolio. In 2016 alone, MBM has introduced 10 new models which include three SUV models in January, the all-new E-Class and a host of additions to the ‘dream car’ range which include the C-Class Coupe and more recent SLC and C-Class Cabriolet model. The C350e plug-in hybrid vehicle also joined the ranks earlier this month, further broadening Mercedes-Benz’s EEV vehicle product offensive.

The C-Class, E-Class, and S-Class sedans sold a combined 6,017 units, making up the bulk of the sales figures. Followed by the range of compact models, with 1,851 units sold.

The breakdown is as below:

Mercedes-Benz Limousine models - contributed 66.5 percent of total sales. (6,017 units)

• C-Class: 3,733 units (up 90 percent)
• E-Class: 1,463 units
• S-Class: 821 units

Mercedes-Benz’s Compact Car range - the A-Class, B-Class, CLA-Class, and GLA-Class - contributed 20 percent to the company’s sales. (1,851 units)

• A-Class: 829 units (up 21 percent)
• CLA-Class: 480 units
• GLA-Class: 473 units

The company’s SUV range – the GLE, GLE Coupe and GLC (1,154 units)

• GLC-Class: 964 units
• GLE-Class: 190 units
• GLE-Coupe: 0 units

The company’s dream car range added another 195 units to the total tally, delivered in Q3 of 2016 alone.

Driven by this growing demand - MBM has increased local production at its Pekan plant, rolling-out 6,424 vehicles in the first nine months of 2016 (up by 15 percent). The locally-produced models consist of the C-Class (five variants), S-Class, and more recently - the GLC-Class. The new W213 E-Class is expected to commence CKD assembly in Q1 2017

It’s worthy to note, that currently – 70 percent of all Mercedes models sold are assembled at MBM’s Pekan Production Plant. Production has been increased three-fold since the plant's inception, from producing 2,188 units in 2005 to 7,710 units as at end of 2015. As of end September – 6,424 units have rolled-out, despite the outgoing (W212) E-Class reaching the end of its production cycle in January.

The Pekan production plant is the only Mercedes-Benz CKD plant in the world currently running a double shift setup. Moving forward, the newly completed MBM warehouse in Pekan is expected to further support MBM’s efforts to manage the growing demand for its vehicles.

On the sales and after-sales front – MBM, who pioneered Autohaus concept currently has the largest premium dealer network in Malaysia, with 29 dedicated dealerships. And as of Q3 2016, MBM has recorded the highest throughput in its history – servicing a total of 79,917 vehicles, an 18.1 percent growth, while still managing the best Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) scores in history.