Mercedes Sales PLUMMET An Astounding 19.8% In August

Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) today reported August sales of 20,339 Mercedes-Benz models, a decrease of 19.8% from August 2017. Mercedes-Benz Vans reported best-ever August sales of 3,745 units (up 4.6%) and smart reported 108 units, bringing MBUSA to a grand total of 24,192 vehicles for the month. On a year-to-date basis, sales of Mercedes-Benz vehicles totaled 199,215, with an additional 23,575 units for Vans and 861 vehicles for smart, bringing the sales volume to 223,651, a decrease of 5.9% from last year.

“While customer demand remains high, our inventory levels are impacted by delayed availability of many of our 2019 models,” said Dietmar Exler, president and CEO of MBUSA. “We are currently replenishing the inventory of our popular 2019 CLA-, GLC-, E- and GLS-Class this month.”

Mercedes-Benz volume leaders in August included the GLC, C-Class and GLE model lines. The GLC took the lead at 4,926, followed closely by C-Class sales of 4,071. The GLE rounded out the top three with 3,622 units sold.

August sales of Mercedes-AMG high-performance totaled 2,032 units, with 19,360 vehicles sold year-to-date.

Separately, Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned (MBCPO) models recorded sales of 12,678 vehicles in August, an increase of 25.5% when compared to the same month last year (10,105). On a year-to-date basis, MBCPO sold 85,295 vehicles, an increase of 8.0% over 2017 (78,952).

USNA1999 - 9/4/2018 6:48:15 PM

+3 Boost

Yikes! That is a sharp decline but even with this 20% drop and a second consecutive month of negative sales MB is still leading the luxury car sales race with 199,215 units to date.

countguy - 9/4/2018 7:37:51 PM

+3 Boost

Ouch

GermanNut - 9/4/2018 9:42:51 PM

-4 Boost

This is very troubling for Mercedes-Benz. Although Mercedes is still the best-selling premium luxury brand in the U.S. YTD, it can't afford too many more of these huge down months.

The biggest concern for sedans is the new E-Class dropping more than 39% for the month and 13% YTD. For the SUVs it is an even bigger problem considering overall SUV sales are very strong. The GLA and GLS were both down more than 30% for the month. The GLA is barely up YTD with the GLE and GLS both down more than 10% YTD.

Mercedes-Benz must correct its SUV sales decline if it is to see better monthly and YTD numbers.

xjug1987a - 9/8/2018 1:41:38 PM

+1 Boost

MB doesn't make a single vehicle I really want except the AMG GT, which is pure lust at a decent value. Their SUV's are boring and dated and the 4 cylinder in the C & E is buzzy junk (IMO). Not to mention they're so expensive and most options that ought to be std are optional... The once wonderful and classic SL is completely irrelevant... I'm done w/MB..

cidflekken - 9/4/2018 10:49:11 PM

+1 Boost

Benz is still feeling the effects of their inventory shortages for 2019 MY cars. It started last month and Benz even stated it would take a few months to get back up to par.

Runamukk - 9/4/2018 11:56:08 PM

0 Boost

I work for a Mercedes dealer and for some reason even though they have plenty of 2019's produced and stateside, they have not shipped them to dealers for months and there is no clear guidance on when this will happen. There is definitely something going on but our reps are very vague and nobody can offer a clear reason. There is definitely something very wrong with this situation and we are all trying to figure out the reason which they are clearly intentionally hiding.

cidflekken - 9/5/2018 2:23:36 PM

+2 Boost

Very strange. Is there an inventory accountability problem as a result of whatever occurred in July? Benz did state last month that it would take a couple of months to sort it all out, whether supply issues through production or just replenishing inventory.

OneOfOne - 9/5/2018 9:03:12 AM

+2 Boost

possibly its the boring styling

carsnyc - 9/5/2018 10:30:00 AM

+2 Boost

I don't know about their possible inventory problem but I'm with Audinut that 39% and 13% month and year drops respectively are worrisome.

Hauerg - 9/6/2018 12:59:22 PM

+2 Boost

So Tesla beat Mercedes in August sales?

2ndbimmer - 9/8/2018 10:18:40 AM

+1 Boost

A lot of brands have challenges in August as 2018 model year vehicles are depleted and they are waiting for 2019 models to come in. I would expect most brands to come up short a bit in August. However, it is the brands fault for not staggering production to have a steady flow of inventory.