Customer First Strategy Puts Mercedes-Benz First

MULGRAVE, AUSTRALIA – April 8, 2010: As the ongoing Customer First strategy of Mercedes–Benz passenger cars approaches its third year the brand has celebrated a bumper March with some segment crushing results.

With 1483 units sold in March it was a photo finish, but Mercedes-Benz got the cigar.

In the small>$40K segment the B-Class Sports Tourer has more than doubled its sales rate compared to the same period in 2009. This result is despite the absence of the A-Class.

The Managing Director of Mercedes-Benz Cars, Mr Horst von Sanden said: “The re positioned B-Class that has the versatility of a hatch, the boot of an estate and the ride height of an SUV has cemented its position as a true contender in this developing Small SUV/Crossover market.

“The B180, at a MLP of $36,990, has demonstrated people want versatility, space and luxury in this newly developing niche.”

In the hotly contested Medium >$60K the C-Class has maintained its position as the first choice for customers, with almost one in three buyers choosing the three-pointed star.

Horst von Sanden: “More than two years on from its Wheels Car Of The Year win the C-Class sets the value standard, now offering $3,000 of added value across the four-cylinder range with no price increase, and $7,000 added to the six-cylinder range. The new direct-injection turbocharged four cylinder models already have a very strong order back. I wish I could get more stock – in most cases these cars are sold before they are even manufactured“

von Sanden said that the YTD 58 percent share the nee Mercedes-Benz E-Class commands in the Large>$70K segment is a due to the company’s Customer First strategy, a long-term plan that is “delivering our customers unparalleled luxury, safety, prestige, economy and style in a package that has clearly hit the sweet spot with buyers.

“With the C-Class we simply can’t get enough stock to satisfy current demand.

“The E-Class Coupé and just-released Cabriolet burst through the winner’s tape in March to be the biggest selling model range in the segment.”

“The recently enhanced flagship S-Class sold 25 units in March, and our overall range has its sights firmly set on segment leadership with a comprehensive model range to take the battle right up to its competitors,” concluded von Sanden.