Mercedes Begins To Pull Itself Out Of The Sales Abyss By Dropping Only 9.8% In September

Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) today reported September sales of 26,169 Mercedes-Benz models, a decrease of 9.8% from September 2017. Mercedes-Benz Vans reported best-ever month of 4,448 units (up 44.0%) and smart reported 98 units, bringing MBUSA to a grand total of 30,715 vehicles for the month. On a year-to-date basis, sales of Mercedes-Benz vehicles totaled 225,384, with an additional 28,023 units for Vans and 959 vehicles for smart, bringing the sales volume to 254,366, a decrease of 5.8% from last year.

“Customer demand remains consistently strong, but our inventory levels are still impacted by delays in availability of many of our most popular 2019 models,” said Dietmar Exler, president and CEO of MBUSA. “We expect increased availability throughout October and for the remainder of the year.”

Mercedes-Benz volume leaders in September included the GLC, C-Class and E-Class model lines. The GLC took the lead at 6,070, followed by C-Class sales of 4,682. The E-Class rounded out the top three with 4,072 units sold.

September sales of Mercedes-AMG high-performance totaled 1,378 units, with 20,738 vehicles sold year-to-date.

Separately, Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned (MBCPO) models recorded sales of 10,274 vehicles in September, an increase of 17.8% when compared to the same month last year (8,725). On a year-to-date basis, MBCPO sold 95,569 vehicles, an increase of 9.0% over 2017 (87,677).

GermanNut - 10/2/2018 7:10:04 PM

0 Boost

The problems continue for Mercedes-Benz in the U.S. market. The C-Class sales have been weak and the new E-Class isn't selling well with sales down 12.3% YTD. The biggest problem for Mercedes-Benz is its very weak SUV sales. Given SUVs are gaining marketshare overall, this is critical if Mercedes-Benz is to turn around its sales slide.

The GLE and GLS are both down double digits YTD.

Car4life1 - 10/2/2018 8:29:15 PM

+4 Boost

WRONG, the GLC just had one of its most successful months ever along with the GLA. The GLE and GLS like most end of the model cycle vehicles are awaiting replacements.

The “biggest problem” for Mercedes is inventory issues, struggling to meet demand for 2019 models which the organization addressed, but even then they still managed to outsell BMW for September.

Imagine what the sales will look like when sales are replenished and thrall new GLE hits showrooms.

cidflekken - 10/3/2018 12:04:10 AM

+2 Boost

Well, it's a great "problem" for Mercedes to have, right? Inventory issues are well known for the past 3 months, the GLE getting ready to be replaced, and they are still leading in the US (and likely, globally).

GermanNut - 10/2/2018 9:35:23 PM

0 Boost

Not being able to meet intense demand is a better problem to have than having products that people don't want. In fact, Audi had a similar inventory problem last year.

Car4life1 - 10/2/2018 10:29:22 PM

+2 Boost

Exactly, luckily for Mercedes their demand globally especially China keeps them comfortably ahead rivals despite inventory issues

OneOfOne - 10/3/2018 10:20:08 AM

+2 Boost

their styling is lame and the gle is a dinosaur. they need refreshed styling in the worst way.

PUGPROUD - 10/3/2018 10:53:16 AM

+2 Boost

The designs are great and the performance is improving greatly but the price hikes I believe are causing many buyers to look elsewhere.