Mercedes-Benz Records Third-Highest Sales Month In Its 42-Year US History

Mercedes-Benz Records Third-Highest Sales Month In Its 42-Year US History
If record-breaking sales are any indication, some people just may be finding stars under their trees this holiday season … Mercedes-Benz stars, that is. In November, Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) achieved its third-highest sales month in 42 years of doing business in the U.S. with 22,079 units sold for the month, a 20.8 percent increase over last November’s 18,284 units. This is the tenth consecutive month that MBUSA has posted record-breaking sales and marks the company’s best November on record.

MBUSA’s year-to-date sales total 219,678 units, a 13.9 percent increase over the same period last year, and keeping Mercedes-Benz on track for accomplishing its 13th consecutive year of sales growth come the ringing in of the new year.

One hot ticket item on people’s wish lists this year – high-end luxury. All 20 of the Signature Edition CL600 luxury coupes – offered exclusively through Saks Fifth Avenue’s annual “The Gift” holiday catalog – sold at $160,000 each in less than eight minutes on November 14. Sales of the newest generation S-Class were nearly double this month over last November (2,780 vs. 1,400), boosting sales for the high-end vehicles as a group by 57.7 percent for the month (3,627 vs. 2,300) and 51.8 percent for the year-to-date (36,787 vs. 24,230).

Not to be outdone, the E-Class also demonstrated impressive gains with a 26.6 percent increase over last November, coming out on top as the volume leader for the month with 4,918 units sold for the month. Sales of Mercedes-Benz passenger cars, as a whole, grew 9.6 percent for the month (15,301 vs. 13,967).

Additionally, contrary to industry trends, Mercedes-Benz vehicles in the luxury light truck segment – ML-Class, R-Class, GL-Class and G-Class – continued to demonstrate impressive gains with a combined 57 percent increase over last November (6,778 vs. 4,317) and an 81 percent increase over year-to-date 2005 (60,373 vs. 33,360). The ML-Class rose 6.8 percent; the R-Class gained 5.1 percent; and the popularity of the GL-Class, the newest member of the Mercedes-Benz family of SUVs, contributed to the growth as well.

Separately, through the Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned program, MBUSA sold 3,741 vehicles in November, an increase of 20.9 percent over last November, bringing the year-to-date total to 43,363 units, a 7.3 percent increase over the same period in 2005.



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chewychewy - 12/1/2006 7:37:39 PM
0 Boost
Audi up, MB up, where are the BMW sales. I think they are down and BMW is hiding them.


chewychewy - 12/1/2006 7:38:41 PM
+1 Boost
I am correct, they are down for November.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/fn/4372846.html


S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 12/1/2006 7:50:41 PM
0 Boost
chewy-

Post it, then!


S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 12/1/2006 7:50:21 PM
+2 Boost
Of course the truck sales are up- they've added two new models!

Tsk, tsk.

Otherwise, no surprises, except there's no mention of the C-Class. I presume it had dismal sales.


S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 12/1/2006 7:51:53 PM
+1 Boost
It seems as if BMW has been selling a whole lot more than Lexus lately. If I'm right, Lexus sold 18K vehicles this month. Am I right? Or was that just in car sales? I doubt it, because the IS, GS and LS don't sell very well, and the ES won't sell like 15K on its own.


MercBasherMercBasher - 12/1/2006 9:02:43 PM
+1 Boost
What an idiot, when the facts don't support your views you just make up data. Please note the LS range outsold the Mercedes S Class [3,613 versus 2,780]in November, and total Lexus sales in November were well ahead of total BMW [26,719 versus 22,602].

LEXUS Nov 2006 Nov 2005 % change
ES 350 6,678 4,637 44.0
LS 430/460 3,613 1,670 116.3
SC 430 406 628 -35.4
GS 300 1,664 2,223 -25.1
GS 430/450h 196 396 -50.5
IS 250/350 3,599 4,447 -19.1
TOTAL LEXUS PASS.
CAR 16,156 14,001 15.4

TOTAL LEXUS LIGHT
TRUCK 10,563 11,648 -9.3

TOTAL LEXUS 26,719 25,649 4.2


BMW4me4everBMW4me4ever - 12/2/2006 10:18:07 AM
+2 Boost
merc basher ...

Lets set the record str8 ... BMW sells more luxury cars in the US than lexus. Now Lexus sells ALOT of their Rx models which equate to about half of their sales on a monthly basis. The BMW X5 has not been produced since July of 2006. The new X5 has just been released. We, the BMW dealer group expected a little decline in sales over the last few months due to the lack of inventory and chage over in models that were coming out. This is mostly due to BMW & their philospohy of not having carryover of one model into the next, like you see with alot of the other models. You will see BMW be in front again as overall #1 in the US. It has always been a close race between Lexus and BMW for the last 5 years. Lexus has sold more, mostly due to their Rx model. Dont get me wrong, I think Lexus makes a phenomenal product, it is just not for me personally.


MercBasherMercBasher - 12/2/2006 7:08:01 PM
0 Boost
BMW4me4ever:

You have so many faulty assumptions in your lengthy diatribe that I can't address them all. But here are a couple of things for you to think about:

(a.) In November RX sales were less than one third of total lexus sales. 8,052 out of 26,719
(b.) In recent years Lexus has been pulling further and further ahead of BMW in terms of sales. So far this year Lexus is at 285,199 (up 6.5% on the year), and BMW is at 243,487 (up 1.6%). The race is no longer close.
(c.) If BMW were not using give-away leases on the 3, x4 and 5 series their sales would be declining.


MercBasherMercBasher - 12/2/2006 7:10:42 PM
0 Boost
Apologies for the typo - meant x3, x5 and z4 [not x4]


S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 12/1/2006 8:14:51 PM
+2 Boost
Oh, sorry.

It said 18K cars, then.

But you must admit, BMW is VERY close! They may break that barrier with the new X5 and 3er coupe! I would be scared if I were Lexus right now.


chewychewy - 12/1/2006 8:30:17 PM
0 Boost
With a whopping 14,000 or so of the entry luxury variety.


MercBasherMercBasher - 12/1/2006 9:05:50 PM
-1 Boost
BMW numbers include the Mini, to be equivalent we should add Scion and maybe Toyota brand sales to the Lexus numbers.

Without Mini and Rolls, BMW sales were 22,602 in November 2006 in the US.


MercBasherMercBasher - 12/2/2006 7:00:34 PM
0 Boost
Hey Chewy:

So what - BMW sells over 10,000 of the 3 series, 1,780 of the underpowered 525i, and 2,336 of the X3. I'd argue all of these are entry-level luxury vehicles. By the way that's a higher proportion of total US BMW sales than your number of 14,000 for Lexus is of total US Lexus sales.


elsupelsup - 12/1/2006 8:35:43 PM
+4 Boost
Lets see here, didn't we have this same exact story earlier today. Why are two stories on the same topic posted twice and other stories never make it through.

Oh yeah, the agents can post anything, even dupes


indoctrin8edindoctrin8ed - 12/1/2006 9:03:28 PM
+3 Boost
Why does number of cars sold mean anything on its own?

Factor in profit per car to determine total profit per model lineup, and compared it to the competition. That's a better measure. For example: Who made more money (not sold # of cars) on the midsize luxory sedan: BMW or Mercedes or Audi. That's what I'd like to know.

These an arseload of those KIAs being sold, but that's not really news.


MercBasherMercBasher - 12/1/2006 9:08:44 PM
+1 Boost
This is a great observation - based on the give-away leases being offered by Audi, Mercedes, and BMW - and based on the decline of the dollar against the Euro, I wonder if any of the Germans is actually making money in the US market. Does anyone have any facts about US profitability for the Germans this year?


chewychewy - 12/1/2006 9:27:57 PM
+2 Boost
Lexus has "give-away" leases as well, so no need to worry.


MercBasherMercBasher - 12/1/2006 9:49:34 PM
0 Boost
Hey Chewy you got any data to support your views. Data I have seen suggests Lexus has the fewest incentives of any luxury marque relative to its MSRP.

Edmunds does analysis on incentives by brand and here's a summary from the Edmunds November 2006 research:

"From October to November, European automakers decreased incentives spending by $257 to $2,159 per vehicle sold; Japanese automakers decreased incentives spending by $141 to $982 per vehicle sold; and Korean automakers decreased incentives spending by $23 to $1,709 per vehicle sold.

Comparing all brands, in November Scion spent the least, $88, followed by Honda at $380 per vehicle sold. At the other end of the spectrum, Jeep spent the most, $5,398, followed by Jaguar at $4,340 per vehicle sold.

Relative to their vehicle prices, Jeep and Dodge spent the most, 19.8 percent and 14.1 percent of sticker price, respectively, while Scion and Lexus spent the least at 0.6 percent and 1.5 percent, respectively."

More information available at:
http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2006/12/01/030382.html



chewychewy - 12/1/2006 11:17:14 PM
+2 Boost
See you don't have any data on Lexus specifically. And cheap leaes don't coutn as incentive dollars directly probably.


MercBasherMercBasher - 12/2/2006 6:51:20 PM
+1 Boost
Chewy read the last paragraph of my previous posting you fool!


MercBasherMercBasher - 12/1/2006 9:36:45 PM
+1 Boost
Lexus has cheap leases on the RX, made in Canada - whereas Mercedes makes the E Class in Germany, Audi makes the A4 in Germany, and BMW makes the 5 series in Germany.

I don't know if Lexus makes money in the US, but if I were a betting man then I'd bet that Lexus in the US makes more money that any of the Germans in the US


OccarnutOccarnut - 12/2/2006 7:31:09 AM
0 Boost
Oh goody, now Mercedes has become even more common. Is the goal to be as ordinary as a Toyota?


EL34EL34 - 12/2/2006 10:48:20 AM
+1 Boost
I love to watch all the young punks in their Scion boxes flying around corners with those tiny little wagon wheels.

lol


2JZSoarer2JZSoarer - 12/3/2006 4:22:51 AM
+1 Boost
Hey everyone lets give an award to EL39 for the most stupid comments on autospies!!!


99gs40099gs400 - 12/2/2006 10:34:44 AM
0 Boost
Good job MB , any u guys know is MB gonna bring back the free maintence like audi and bmw ?


S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 12/2/2006 8:20:18 PM
+2 Boost
Audi just got rid of its free maintenance system. BMW is the only one left.

BMW- PEER PRESSURE!!!


LJ745LJ745 - 12/2/2006 1:34:19 PM
+4 Boost
Okay,

I cannot help but point out that arguments like this are rather pointless. Both companies are doing exceedingly well in the US market and around the world. The products are for two different people/purposes and we should not compare one to the other in this manner. Sales of both are up. In the end, I think BMW will outsell Lexus, but we will have to wait and see.

Finally, sales volume in no way indicates the quality of a brand. After all, Chevy is the number one selling brand in the U.S. and I don't think anyone would argue that it is the best brand. It is a combination of price, features, market segment, etc. that sells a vehicle. In truth, BMW caters to a slightly more select group of drivers who are looking for a comfortable car that blends performance, luxury, and technology in the right combination. Lexus drivers are, for lack of a better word, a little bit simpler. They are looking for a car that is packed to the windows with technology that rides well and care less about the driving experience than your average BMW driver. Finally, MB caters to an altogether different crowd in that their cars are a bit more expensive than either of the other two. MB pulls of elegance and prestige better than the other two as a result of its blend of luxury and technology and style. They are different cars for different people and it happens to be that Lexus tries to appeal to everyone by being a little more generic while MB and BMW have defined philosophies about what their cars should be and always build to fit that. I think that is what makes these brands a little bit more unique. MB and BMW have characteristics that they strive for. Lexus is known only for the fact that you can dirve it into the ground before it stops running...which does not correlate with quality by the way.


RupertRupert - 12/2/2006 3:52:56 PM
+3 Boost
bmw's autos are far from the slush boxes they fit to lexi.
and you can still have driving fun with an auto box.


S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 12/2/2006 8:21:20 PM
+2 Boost
Just because they have auto trannys doesn't mean they don't have far superior handling characteristics to their Lexus counterparts.


indoctrin8edindoctrin8ed - 12/3/2006 4:35:11 AM
+1 Boost
That was my point in the first place. We all have our opinion of what the best car is, or what the best car for the money is, or what the best-of-breed car is, etc. And we love to argue about it, that's the standard fare here in these forums.

But when you throw in the data the explains how much profit per car is being made, I think we would all might have an "ahhh haaa!" experience because we can understand why the manufacturer is doing what they're doing.

For example, if we learned (hypothetically) that the Porsche Caymen was losing money in the US due to Euro/Dollar pressures, even though they sold a arseload of them, we might understand why they jack the price way up here, even though number of cars sold drops significantly.

There are so many reasons why a car is successful; having insight to its profitability is very insightful to it's composition.

Even though I don't like a car, I may admire the DNA of its business success. Profit data helps reveal this. I have no desire to own a Toyota car (maybe a truck, and I did own a SC400 years ago), but my hat goes off to Toyota/Lexus for their business excellence.

Conversely, one of the greatest cars EVER is the Mclaren F1, but it is all but bankrupt.


AmazingBimmerAmazingBimmer - 12/3/2006 10:59:01 AM
-4 Boost
BMW car sales up 2.2%, overall down 3.6%. Driven by lack of new x5. get ready.. its coming....


S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 12/3/2006 9:54:09 PM
+1 Boost
AmazingBimmer, is the fact that there isn't a new car yet ALWAYS the excuse?

I don't think so...

The current X5 has been selling pretty solidly throughout its life cycle. The reason they're selling less overall (BMW, not just the X5) is because of a lack of interest.

Audi sales up this month, and up for the year...


escobar600escobar600 - 12/3/2006 10:53:23 PM
+1 Boost
Does anybody know how all these people are affording these incredibly expensive cars. This has been on my mind for the last 5 years. I have never seen so many high priced cars on the road. Most seem to be regular middle class people buying $100,000 cars. Am I missing something but I don't remember this in the 90's or 80's. Where I can find the source of this cash machine?


IamEvilHomerIamEvilHomer - 12/4/2006 12:26:27 PM
0 Boost
loosers - you are just jellous because I talk to hot chicks on the internet all day. :)


indoctrin8edindoctrin8ed - 12/4/2006 5:56:19 PM
+2 Boost
You can't spell loser.


mini22mini22 - 12/4/2006 2:34:43 PM
+1 Boost
Lexus makes a fine luxury car. They are quiet,have a very nice ride and great on a straight road like an intestate. They also have great reliability and resale. But I would never buy one. I have driven enough of them and can say that 1)I don't like their styling inside and out,2)They simply do not ride and handle like the Euro cars. That's the bottom line for me. I like cars that are fun to drive. If I don't enjoy the car I don't car what it's JD Power rating is. Euro cars have heritage and history and a feel that Jap cars will never have. So facts and figures mean absolutely nothing. If you are a true car enthusiast 9 times out of 10 you would or should pick a Euro car. However,to each his or her own. There is nothing wrong with owning a Lexus. Just not my cup of tea.


indoctrin8edindoctrin8ed - 12/4/2006 6:01:42 PM
0 Boost
Houstoncutie, try your caps lock. We know you've dranken the Infiniti Kool Aide.

I'm goint to go drive that Infinity M for "fun" and see. The G35 doesn't "feel" fun to drive like the 330 or 335 does even though C&D said it did.


izfuneyizfuney - 12/4/2006 6:38:35 PM
+1 Boost
I have to say .. C&D isnt the best source on how to blow your 55 -85k. For one i dont give a damn what the G load is ..because its very dependent on the rubber your cars loaded with . Put on some aggressive rubber and your rack performace will take off.

Please do drive the vehicles yourself.
1) Lexus does what it does best (Luxo vault,with a nice amount of power on tap). Sort of like I am rich but dont look at me .
2) BMW ...gauranteed to leave a silly smile on your face. Unforunately in Cali ... its about as individual as driving a Ford in Dearborn.

3) Havent driven the Infinity so i will pass there.

4) MB E550 .. drove the CLS550 which was based on the same platform. Lets put it this way, you wouldnt cross shop the CLS with any of the above.



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