Mercedes-Benz Malaysia maintained its lead of the premium passenger car segment on the back of a commendable sales performance of 3903 passenger cars in 2009, this accounts for 49% of the top marques sold in Malaysia.
2009 saw less than positive sentiments affecting the automotive industry and weak global economic environment but despite that, sales of the C-Class and B-Class grew by 5% and 37% respectively.
Peter Honegg, President & CEO of Mercedes-Benz Malaysia commented, “while our overall annual sales dipped 6% compared to 2008 we were buoyed by our second half performance which saw sales grow 8.8% from 1869 cars cols in the first half to 2034 in the third and fourth quarters to surpass expectations amidst continuous volatility. We are encouraged by our performance and will continue to build on our leadership in 2010. In fast, despite a slight blip, Mercedes-Benz passenger cars have once again finished ahead in the premium passenger car segment, cementing our lead with a market share of 49% in the core competitive segment.”
According to Honegg, MBM was persistent in successfully executing its aggressive strategies to ensure that customer confidence and brand loyalty remained at a high.
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class and E-Class reinforced their respective positions as the preferred cars of choice in the premier segments despite lower sales accounting for 67% and 52% of the market respectively with 317 and 1228 cars sold. Sales of the S-Class fell 27.1% from 435 while the E-Class shed 20.2% from 1539 cars sold in the previous year.
Meanwhile, sales of the C-Class improved by 82 units in 2009 registering a total of 1788 units sold indicating a high interest in a car that appeals to those looking for a sleek and sporty small-saloon.
The introduction of the new E-Class in November is expected to extend the brand’s leadership in its segment based on its reputation for refined features of elegance, safety and power.
“The new E-Class has created quite a stir and with an overwhelming 600 plus pre-launch orders, we are confident of extending this trend in 2010,” said Honegg.
The S-class, the ultimate in luxury with unparalleled comfort and safety, continued to dominate its segment throughout 2009 buoyed by the launch of the S500L in 2008. With over 300 units sold in 2009, the S-Class recorded twice as many unit deliveries as its nearest competitor – maintaining its lead in the segment with 67% market share.
Spacious and comfortable, the B-Class recorded a significant 37% increase from 2008 or 329 units to deliver 451 units in total with strong demand from its target market largely due to its design and the ease of driving and handling.
The new generation M-Class continued to turn heads accounting for a remarkable 33% rise in sales to close at 52 units in 2009. The ML350 and ML63 AMG, launched in April last year are a perfect combination of high-performance SUV and trademark Mercedes-Benz luxury.
“Mercedes-Benz passenger cars demonstrated their resilience amidst a challenging economic backdrop in 2009. While overall performance was impressive, we look forward to a better year ahead as the global markets and the automotive industry shows signs of recovery. We will continue to adopt a cautious stance and be prudent in our strategies to stay ahead of the industry.” said Honegg.
MBM is also well poised to take advantage of projected growth within the used car market through its Mercedes-Benz Proven Exclusivity Programme launched last October to explore a wider customer base and complement demand for new cars. The programme provides greater assurance for customers who purchase pre-owned Mercedes-Benz cars which undergo a comprehensive inspection and come complete with legitimated manufacturer-backed certifications and warranties.
“It is the perfect platform for Mercedes-Benz enthusiasts to own their favourite cars at attractive and affordable prices and more importantly allows the company to maintain strict safety and performance standards of all pre-owned cars,” Honegg added.
. Let us keep our country clean from the sick bastard keep on steeling cars ...