E-Class sedan re-emerges as the highest selling model while the GLC is the best-selling SUV in the luxury carmaker’s portfolio.
11 Apr 2017 | 4314 Views | By Autocar Professional Bureau
Mercedes-Benz India today announced its best-ever quarterly sales, which it says have been helped by reviving market sentiments. The company recorded its best quarter by selling 3,650 units in the January-March 2017 period (+1%), supported by the strong sales momentum in the SUV segment.
The German carmaker’s luxury SUV ...
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Mercedes-Benz India today announced its best-ever quarterly sales, which it says have been helped by reviving market sentiments. The company recorded its best quarter by selling 3,650 units in the January-March 2017 period (+1%), supported by the strong sales momentum in the SUV segment.
The German carmaker’s luxury SUV portfolio comprising the GLA, GLC, GLE, GLE Coupe and the GLS grew the highest by 13 percent in Q1 2017. While the growth in the SUV portfolio was primarily led by the GLC, which emerged as the highest selling SUV, the bigger GLE, GLE Coupe and the GLS also witnessed strong customer preference in the January-March 2017 period.
The luxury sedan segment comprising the C-Class, E-Class and the S-Class also performed as per expectations, with the E-Class sedan re-emerging as the highest selling model for Mercedes-Benz in the first quarter of 2017. The company says the all-new Long Wheelbase E-Class has seen huge customer interest across markets with demand surpassing supply and supported the growth of the sedan portfolio.
The E-Class’ popularity was closely matched by that of the C-Class Sedan, which remained a significant volume contributor in Q1 2017 and was the second highest selling model of the quarter. Apart from the sedans, the New Generation Cars continued to attract younger customers to the brand, while the AMG and Dream Cars portfolio helped drive a rise in brand equity.
Commenting on the Q1 2017 results, Roland Folger, managing director and CEO, Mercedes-Benz India, said: “2017 began with a positive drive and we are confident of bettering our sales performance in the coming months. We are glad to witness growth re-emerging in Q1 2017, which makes us confident of our customer-centric strategy. The high demand for the all-new long-wheelbase E-Class was overwhelming, as it surpassed all our expectations. With new product introductions coupled with the availability of the all-new long wheelbase EClass, we are confident that our growth momentum continues. Qualitative expansion in our network spread, introduction of various cost of ownership measures and availability of varied tailor-made financial programmes will be pivotal in aiding our planned growth. It is very satisfactory to note that Mercedes-Benz witnessed growth across the portfolio.”
APAC sales on a high in Q1
Global sales in the first quarter of 2017 also surpassed all previous quarters, with sales rising by 16 percent to 560,625 units for Mercedes-Benz.
The Asia-Pacific region was also a strong performer with highest-ever Q1 sales (219,418 units, +27.4%). In China, sales in March grew by more than 30 percent to 49,871 vehicles, a new record. In South Korea, Australia and Malaysia, the Stuttgart-based company set best-ever figures for sales in March and in the first quarter.
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