Mercedes says it didn't take the US sales crown due to supply issues

On the whole, I like more MB models than BMW but I don't know why MB is even bothering to explain their 2nd place. It seems so childish for a premium car brand to have to run after numbers like this. Is there a marketing angle on having selling the most premium-brand cars?

Typical lame excuse for coming in second in a heated race between MB, BMW and Audi. MB was once king of the hill now upsurped by BMW with both to soon be overtaken by Audi. It all has to do with German ego, DNA and drive for supremacy. In the end its the consumer who benefits from this no holds bar bareknuckle fight. On the lighter side its rumored that before MB came up with this excuse they gave serious thought to saying "We came in second because our dog Fitz ate our new product development plans."

Marykeana - I am guessing you're referring to BMW and/or Audi? If so, I think you're spot on. Having said that, I do see why BMW, Audi, others, do court the younger buyers with cheap leases because those young buyers do tend to migrate up to the more expensive models within the same brand when they get older. Personally, I still prefer the MB cars given my order of priorities.

Who is Mercedes trying to quell or win owver with such a sniveling explanation? MB doesn't have to give excuses or reasons to anyone.

If any company had supply problems, the Japanese auto industry would qualify as number one. So MB's issues must be minor in comparison to Japanese manufacturers.

The real "Supply Problem" was not enough buyers wanted Mercedes supply of autos to make them "Nummer eins"...