Mercedes has best May ever

Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) today reported its highest May on record with sales of 21,621 new vehicles, an increase of 21.4 percent over last May, bringing year-to-date sales to 94,133 new vehicles, a 17.1 percent increase compared to the first five months of 2005.

Passenger car sales of 15,282 units showed an increase of 6.4 percent over May 2005. The strongest increase for the month (and for the year-to-date) was the flagship 2007 S-Class with sales of 2,526 units, an increase of 84.5 percent over last May. Other strong performers include the SL-Class and SLK-Class roadsters with combined sales of 2,283, a 37.1 percent increase over May 2005 and E-Class sedan and wagon sales of 4,070, a 14 percent increase over May 2005.

Sales for Mercedes-Benz vehicles in the luxury light truck segment -- M-Class, R-Class, GL-Class and G-Class -- continue to gain momentum as a group with an 84 percent increase over May 2005 and a 105.3 percent increase over year-to-date 2005 (23,257 v. 11,328). In this group, the all-new 2007 GL-Class, the first European full-sized luxury SUV, recorded sales of 2,545 for its first full month on the market.

Separately, through the Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned program, MBUSA sold 4,150 vehicles in May, bringing annual sales for the year to a total of 18,656 units, an increase of 7.8 percent over May 2005.

*Click on photo to enlarge

dblo7 - 6/1/2006 1:09:49 PM

+1 Boost

Defintely blowing away Nissan (Not in numbers, but in sales growth). I guess the S-Class is a big hit. Both the CL and CLS are due for changes. I have not seen numbers from Toyota or GM yet.

PlanoA4 - 6/2/2006 3:08:28 PM

+1 Boost

Compare MB 2006 to Infiniti 2006 (which was the one touted to watch in 2005)

MB up 17.7% combined car and SUV

Infiniti down 7.0% total Car Sales, Down 21% in SUV sales

Nissan pulled a GM move investing very heavily into Gas Guzzling SUV's for sale growth and they have now their pants down.

PlanoA4 - 6/2/2006 3:09:11 PM

+1 Boost

I like to backup my comments

http://www.nissannews.com/

MercBasher - 6/3/2006 10:29:46 PM

+1 Boost

Let's look at these numbers a few different ways

(i.) Take out the GL and R class - new models - and MB would actually have had a sales decline in year on year comparisons

(ii.) Check out the rapid drop in sales of the CLS down 42% year on year, suggesting a potential short life for this model

(iii.) Note that year to date the following models are all showing declines: C class, SL, SLK, CL. Furthermore CLK sales collapsed in May, and E class sales are flat despite heavy incentives.

Conclusion:
Growth is coming from new models the S, GL and R.
(a.) The R sales are because you can get them for $10,000 off MSRP, and because its a new model. Look for R class sales to be underperform expectations until there's a major redesign.
(b.) S class sales should remain strong at least until the soon-to-be-released Lexus LX becomes the next "big thing"
(c.)The GL has had a great start, but we need more months of data before we'll get a better view of its potential. MB may be alarmed that the ML sales are actually collapsing.

MB needs new C Class and E class models as soon as possible. Furthermore forget the idea of MB outselling BMW consistently in the US. Too many MB buyers were badly burned by poor reliability and won't return to MB anytime soon.

MercBasher - 6/4/2006 12:25:23 PM

+1 Boost

Autospies loves MB so it tends to ignore news from other manufacturers - well BMW sold about 24,500 vehicles in the US in May excluding Mini, and Lexus sold about 30,000 well actually 29,999! Both are still well ahead of MB.

Don't forget MB has arguably a stronger brand name, more models, more engine choices, more variety of body (sedan, coupe, wagon), and a lot more dealers, yet MB still lags BMW and Lexus in number of vehicles sold.

So what - so its not likely BMW will be "crushed" by MB in the US anytime soon.

Ben55 - 6/5/2006 4:22:52 PM

+1 Boost

You need a refresh in Economics 101. The first 1-3 years will in most cases always be the strongest. Most of the models you mentioned are on the verge of being replaced by a completely new model or a face lifted one (C (new), CL (new), E (face lift), SL (face lift), etc.) By your logic if the sale #s kept increasing with every year then why even introduce a new model?

Do I need to remind you that the hyped up IS aka BMW 3 series killer was produced from 01-05? The current C class from 01-07. That is a 40% longer life span for the C.
Or do I need to remind you that a 1990 500SL still looks like a brand new car today compared to the Lexus ES250 that looks like a turd? 99% of the turds are already at the junkyard.

BTW, don’t forget who rules worldwide sales.

MercBasher - 6/5/2006 8:02:19 PM

+1 Boost

Ben:

The only turds I have owned were all Mercs
2001 SL 500 Reliability issues
2003 SL 500 Electrical gremlins
2000 S500 Suspension collapsed

The vehicles I have kept the longest are all by Lexus 1998 LS400, 1992 SC400, 2004 LX 470. No warranty claims I can remember.

If you're looking for trends I think one of the biggest is the resurgence of Lexus in cars, as opposed to trucks. You'll recall Lexus built a truck range when trucks were in vogue, and then introduced hybrids when gas prices climbed rapidly, and now they are revamping their small car lines (ES and IS) just as the market is turning in favor of fuel efficient cars. Whether this is luck or foresight it partly explains why Lexus smashed MB in the US in sales of CARS as wells as Trucks in May. Something I don't think I have ever seen before.

Generally higher sales, with lower warranty claims, fewer models, fewer dealers, and lower incentives means higher profitability for the automaker and for the dealers. I'd bet the average Lexus dealership makes more money than the average MB dealership. Does anyone have any information on this?

Ben55 - 6/5/2006 10:17:31 PM

+1 Boost

If every Lexus is as reliable as yours then I doubt Lexus dealerships are making any money. Wait a minute I don't think Lexus dealerships even have a service department.

What kind of reliability issues did you have with your 01 SL? The other two are first year cars, so gremlins are expected. You call a 2000 S500 with a collapsed suspension a turd. Is it safe to say than an LX with a collapsed suspension is a BIG TURD? I know not one but two people that had a collapsed air suspension on their LX.

What was the mileage on your SC? My friend had to throw away a 92 SC300 with less than 100k mi (2-3 years ago).

Hybrids? You mean the technology that Toyota is using to scam stupid people that don't even know how do simple math. I hope the $400 you save per year on gas with your hybrid is worth it when you throw it away or need new batteries in 5-10 years.

You ever bother to look at world wide sale figures or are you one of those that think the US is the WORLD. German luxury cars are outselling Japanese luxury cars in Japan. How embarrassing is that? The Japanese are huge nationalists, so what exactly is the problem? I think it’s safe to say that the average Japanese person is smarter than the average American. In conclusion Lexus is only successful in countries with less than average intelligence or should I say only in the US.