Mercedes Sales Follow Audi To The Bottom With a 15.7% Freefall In April

Mercedes needs the new GLE to reach dealers as fast as possible. The E-Class still isn't gaining any traction and a surprisingly large fall for the S-Class. I would expect a moderate increase for Mercedes-Benz for the rest of the year with the new GLE and GLS reaching dealers.

As a data point - I have four cars, one of which is a 2013 S550 which we love. Also have a GL350 Bluetec that we also like.

We were assuming that we would trade the S550 in on either a new S560 or a refreshed 750i and went to test both (BMW just visually at company store). The S560 has aged overnight (refresh didn't go far enough) and BMW was cool but decided to upgrade our SUV instead (and keep S550 since I consider the last-gen S-Class to really be the end of an era [much like the BMW E30 3-series was]).

Saw the new GLS450 at the NYIAS (looked like Honda Pilot), checked out Bentayga (costs same in NYC as loaded Cayenne Turbo), and finally checked out the Cayenne.

We got a Cayenne S - loaded with air suspension and all the goodies for what we would have in a new S-Class and unloaded our diesel problems on someone else (got an amazing trade allowance for it though).

I think our decision came down to getting the space we needed in a 'better-packaged' vehicle that performs and handles great (drive a Cayenne, its amazing).

The S560 and the 750i were really nice but just seemed bloated and overstuffed to us. BTW, we checked out an A8 also, which might as well have had an 'Oldsmobile' badge on it - A8 is such an off-base product.

GLE/GLS being replaced with GLA on their heels.

S class already testing new model debuting next year.

E Class actually did well outselling the 5 series, the thing is SUV’s are it now and not going anywhere anytime soon

Benz is still the #1 selling luxury brand in the world, and currently only behind Bimmer by less than 4,000 units in the U.S. during replishment and refresh of SUV inventory

LMAO where? Last I checked mercedes had the best selling luxury sedans last month and compact luxury SUV, with their big boys being replaced, and remember Benz roots for Tesla, they helped save them from bankruptcy and still supplies parts for their cars, and upcoming vans...

Benz wants Tesla to sell, so those checks continue to clear hahaha

Benz will easily bounce back when the A-sedan and CLA get into full swing and the GLE and GLS hit the market, not to mention the updated GLC. So, they still have 4 more hands to play while BMW's hands have all been played, with no new major players coming before year end (that I can think of).

Ouch, the "mighty" S-Class gets bi***ed slapped. The 21.9% increase in 7-Series sales came at expense of the S-Class.

Try stretching before you reach next time...the S class sold nearly twice as much as the 7 series despite being the oldest in its class while the 7 series barely out sold the Lexus LS last month

neither of them is relevant anymore. buyers are abandoning sedans because they are pointless. wagons would make more sense but they dont appeal like suvs do.

...and yet the S-class is still handily outselling the 7

Audi has lost its way as its sales data for 2018 and YTD 2019 have shown both in the U.S. and globally. The brand needs to change its exterior design strategy. I would have taken the new Mercedes-Benz GLS with the larger rims in a light color. Cayenne is a great option too but I prefer the Mercedes-Benz MBUX system.

We welcome you with open arms, you were very loyal to Audi almost to a fault, their lazy approach to design and unwillingness to take risk has finally caught up and with new players in the market, their dull styling will put the brand at risk of becoming completely irrelevant.

A shame really, I’ve always respected Audi’s quality interiors and tech, but why put all that good stuff inside only to wrap it in an exterior that doesn’t do the interior justice

The S-Class might have been affected by the intro of the new GLS, which is now more appropriately at S-Class levels of luxury. Would imagine some buyers holding off until they can make that choice. But, yeah, now is not a great time for sedans.