Mercedes-Benz Malaysia managed to maintain its positive sales trend, and recorded a 16% rise in year-on-year sales during the third quarter of 2014. As at September 2014, the luxury marque recorded a high of 6,642 units in vehicle sales, an increase from 5,747 units during the same period last year.
The company’s continued growth was mainly attributed to the passenger car segment, which attained sales of 4,817 units, a 28% increase from 2013. The key drivers behind the success of Mercedes-Benz Malaysia this year has been its bread and butter vehicles, the C-, E-, and S-classes.
Following closely behind, impacting figures were the A- and CLA classes, part of the New Generation Compact Car (NGCC) range, with combined sales of 1,253 registered units. Model-wise, the S400L Hybrid, which received full duty exemptions in May this year, registered an outstanding year-on-year growth quadrupling its sales compared to last year.
“Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has had an outstanding season so far. With three passenger car launches to date this year, and a phenomenal record for the S400L Hybrid, it has certainly been encouraging to see the positive response we have witnessed so far. With the recently introduced C-Class last month, which was very well received, we expect to maintain this upward trend for the rest of 2014,” said Mercedes-Benz Malaysia President and CEO, Roland Folger.
Folger further shared his thoughts on the upcoming Budget 2015. “As a committed investor in the country, we see a need for collective growth for the nation. The Goods and Services Tax (GST) will be a central theme in Budget 2015, and we view this positively as we believe that it will bode well for the nation. The GST is in line with the nation’s aspirations to grow economically and socially, and it is our hope that this ambition will be realised.”
With regards to the impact of GST on customers, Folger said, “Mercedes-Benz Malaysia is committed to our customers in ensuring that we will maintain the value of the vehicles and after sales service for our customers. We see all our vehicles as a long term investment and as such do not see the GST directly impacting the customers.”
