Mercedes Says CLA Is Best Launch In 20 Years - Warns Dealers Of Tight Supply

Mercedes-Benz told its U.S. dealers they should expect fewer CLAs in 2014’s first half, after the new $29,900 coupe helped widen the automaker’s luxury-sales lead this year over Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (BMW)’s BMW.

The Daimler AG (DAI) unit in a Dec. 9 letter to dealers said it anticipates “tight inventories and low days supply” from February through June because of the car’s “overwhelming success” worldwide. The CLA’s plant is at full capacity, and output should support demand by July, according to the letter.

“This is our best launch in 20 years,” Steve Cannon, head of Mercedes’s U.S. sales, said yesterday in an e-mailed statement. “The CLA has been a phenomenal success right out of the gate.”

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GermanNut - 12/13/2013 5:03:23 PM

-2 Boost

Wait until the A3 Sedan hits U.S. showrooms in 4 months. The CLA's sales will plummet from their currently lofty levels.

F1_Driver - 12/13/2013 5:51:41 PM

+5 Boost

I doubt it. The name Mercedes-Benz has more bling bling than the name Audi. Don't you wonder why MB is a first tier luxury brand and Audi is a second tier luxury brand in the USA?

cidflekken - 12/14/2013 2:05:24 AM

+1 Boost

Well, it will certainly be interesting to see how the A3 affects the CLA. BUT, the 4Matic and AMG models haven't been introduced yet to the CLA line (officially). At the same time, though, the C-Class will start generating significant attention around the brand and the entry-level point for Mercedes, while the A4 (to my knowledge) isn't set for replacement for awhile.

But I tend to agree with F1. Overall, I'm an Audi fan and have grown to love my current one (despite early frustrations) and lust after the S7 and would rob a bank for an RS7. But, you would think that as much positive press as Audi has received, especially the A6/S6/A7/S7, the company is still probably a decade off, sales-wise from being a threat to MB and BMW, if it even ever gets to that point. Not so sure I'd categorize them as second-tier luxury, though.

pmrmd - 12/14/2013 3:03:30 AM

-1 Boost

It is just so hard to believe people want to buy the CLA. Or any current generation Benz, for that matter.

MorePower - 12/14/2013 7:58:31 PM

-1 Boost

"best launch in 20 years" is a dubious distinction.

MB should have said, {We made a car that is somewhat affordable and our brand cache is good enough that, with the lower price point for some markets and limited supply, people are buying our product at better than expected rates.}