German automakers , Mercedes-Benz, says it delivered 180, 539 vehicles to its customers all over the world in January.
It stated that the second – best start to a year for sales was influenced by important model changes in the high – volume SUV and compact -car segment.
According to the automaker , in particular , the model change of the B -Class , CLA and GLE, each with a double- digit sales decrease, had a negative impact on total unit sales worldwide despite the ongoing high demand for the cars with the star.
“ From today’ s perspective , the company expects the model changes to affect deliveries in the first quarter . With a high degree of probability , the full year will be affected also by exogenous challenges and geopolitical risks, ” it said in a statement.
It, however , stated that the model offensive would lead to sales growth in the second half of the year , adding that there were expectations for slight increase in its worldwide unit sales overall, and to achieve another record in 2019.
The automaker said last month that it defended its market leadership in the premium segment in markets including Germany, the United Kingdom , France , Switzerland, Portugal , Denmark, Finland, Czech Republic , South Korea, the United States , Canada and Brazil.
A Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG responsible for Mercedes- Benz Cars Marketing and Sales , Britta Seeger, was quoted to have said that with more than 180, 000 vehicles delivered , Mercedes-Benz had started the year 2019 with the second – best January ever.
He said , “ Last month was below the strong figure for the previous year ; this was in line with our expectations , however , due to important model changes . With the B -Class, the CLA and the GLE, we look forward in the coming months to the new generations of models very popular with our customers and expect the model offensive in our high -volume segments to provide significant sales impetus.
“ 2019 will be a challenging year for the entire industry . But we expect to inspire our customers with new models – especially in the second half of the year – and, therefore , aim to achieve a slight increase in unit sales and a new record in the full year . ”
In Europe, Mercedes- Benz said it sold a total of 57, 963 vehicles in January, adding that in the core market of Germany , 19, 296 models were delivered , representing an 11. 9 per cent decrease in unit sales .
It added that in the Asia – Pacific region, 93, 234 vehicles were handed over to customers in the period under review , while in the NAFTA region, it sold a total of 26, 068 vehicles in January.
“ A total of 22, 507 customers in the United States were delighted to receive their new model with the three -pointed star last month. In particular , the C- Class sedan was very popular by customers in the USA , resulting in a sales increase compared to previous year, ” it stated.
In unit sales by model, the automaker said in January, its SUVs were well below the previous year ’ s high level, with sales of more than 60, 000 units of the GLA , GLC , GLC Coupé , GLE, GLE Coupé, GLS and G -Class models, adding that above all , the GLE model change had a dampening effect on unit sales.
“ The new C -Class Saloon and Estate have started the year 2019 with their best -ever January.
More than 36, 000 customers were delighted to take delivery of their new C -Class Saloon or Estate last month, representing a worldwide increase of 2. 8 per cent in unit sales of those models.
The C – Class Saloon was especially popular in January for example in Germany , the United Kingdom and China , with double – digit sales growth in each of those markets , ” it said.
(Punchng)