Mercedes is top selling luxury brand in US, beats BMW

Mercedes-Benz S 63 AMG (W222) 2013

Mercedes-Benz is top of the premium brand tree in the USA for the first time since 1999, after it beat BMW to the line in 2013, Automotive News Europe reports.

To make it sweeter, Merc’s 2013 sales performance beat its own record. The total of 312,528 units sold is 14% higher than 2012’s figure. Stuttgart sold 3,248 units more than its Munich archrival, which ended 2013 strong thanks to year-end promos – after 11 months, BMW had been 7,610 units behind Mercedes.

The three-pointed star’s stellar performance is attributed to fresh products, said Steve Cannon, CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA. In 2013, Mercedes launched the CLA (baby CLS, A-Class platform) and the new-generation W222 S-Class flagship, plus the facelifted W212 E-Class. Cannon pointed out that improved customer service, the result of a major effort Mercedes undertook with its dealers last year, also contributed.

Mercedes_CLA_45_AMG_028

Last year, M-B USA sold 14,113 CLAs, which are now in short supply due to high demand. Cannon revealed that the CLA generated traffic in showrooms, and many who didn’t manage to get the curvy sedan ended up buying a W204 C-Class, which is set to be replaced by a new-gen W205 soon. CLA aside, the S-Class and E-Class outsold the 7- and 5-Series from BMW.

It may have been beaten to the top spot, but 2013 was far from a disappointment for BMW. Its US division sold a record 309,280 units (up 10%), breaking a previous 2007 high. BMW was the top luxury carmaker in the US in 2011 and 2012. Before that, Lexus reigned for 11 consecutive years. The Japanese brand saw a 12% increase in 2013 to post 273,847 units, good for third place.

Ludwig Willisch, CEO of BMW North America, is predicting another record year ahead, with new models such as the 2-Series Coupe and Convertible, i3 electric car and X4 crossover on the way.

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Danny Tan

Danny Tan loves driving as much as he loves a certain herbal meat soup, and sweet engine music as much as drum beats. He has been in the auto industry since 2006, previously filling the pages of two motoring magazines before joining this website. Enjoys detailing the experience more than the technical details.

 

Comments

  • Anti-Fuel-Price on Jan 07, 2014 at 3:16 pm

    Is about time, to be frank lately Mercedes Benz cars are really nice looking & less problematic compare to previous models. Hope BMW able to stiff up their sleeves & bounce back. Sitting too comfortable on top & take customer for granted is way “STUPID & Dangerous”.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 48 Thumb down 7
    • Mr Mac on Jan 07, 2014 at 4:26 pm

      and BMW was far better for its previous model? yeah right!

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 10
      • mercelantra on Jan 07, 2014 at 9:04 pm

        I saw old Elantra!

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 8
      • SamShowedMeTheHilux on Jan 08, 2014 at 9:36 am

        Even in Malaysia it beat BMW flat. BMW yearly figures all include fleet cars to Sime Darby staff. Just staff alone, every year a few hundred brand new BMWs are sold by AB to its own parent company Sime Darby for company car, owner of BMW Malaysia.

        So, in Malaysia, Mercedes is really KING. Actually real BMW total sales only about few hundred cars per annum. People all scared of BMW lah, always breakdown. Somemore, BMW always throw prices year end up to RM100,000 less. BMW F10, for example BMW 520d, brand new RM350,000. In December 2013, they were clearing Brand New Pre Reg cars with ZERO mileage for RM260,000

        So you can imagine how RV is like. Any BMW, automatically drops about RM100,000 to RM150,000 within few months because BMW Malaysia throw prices year end. So if you buy your 5 series for RM350,000, few months later, be prepared to sell it for RM250,000

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 11
        • LotusGuy on Jan 08, 2014 at 11:17 pm

          Please don’t simply talk about the price, it’s not as cheap as u said , the 520d pre reg selling at 260K?? If u can get it with that price please do inform me, I wanna buy 10 units and slowly sell it with 280K.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
        • disgruntledBMWowner on Jan 09, 2014 at 10:37 am

          Sam, based on ur reputation it is hard for me to agree with you on a normal occassion but this time cant agreed with you more. BMW service in Malaysia is dropping to a terribly low level. When you go back to BMW SC for claims or etc, you will know Malaysia is facing terrible brain drain.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
      • SamShowedMeTheHilux on Jan 08, 2014 at 2:28 pm

        BMW Malaysia is the ONLY company in the world, not just in Malaysia, in the world, that ONLY gives 2 year warranty for their cars.

        Have you wondered why? Think carefully before you buy. If a car company has no confidence to give you the basic 3 years, something smells fishy. Now, nearly ALL companies give 5 years. Even Proton and Perodua, give 5 years warranty.

        So many bMW owners, after 2nd year cry so loud like a baby because, warranty habis, have to pay so much in parts prices. Many kena gearbox rosak, immediately RM80k disappears from the bank account just to buy a new gearbox.

        You dare to buy a car with so many electronics and high possibility to malfunction with a mere and miserable 2 year warraty?

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 8
        • sam69 on Jan 08, 2014 at 6:57 pm

          A merc salesman try to be Sam Loo, what a pity.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 2
        • disgruntledBMWowner on Jan 09, 2014 at 10:40 am

          In 1 year I send back my new BMW not less than 4 times. It take few months to order parts. Steering rack, plastiky rattling and the works all cant be resolved. Imagine BMW gaved 5 years warranty they will definitely go bankrupt. I can guarantee you that. Before buying they promised me free service every 20000km. At 46000km they still refuse to servise my car. They said OBC advice engine oil still good.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
      • Sam Loo on Jan 09, 2014 at 8:26 am

        Well, get the used 1 year old Elantra for RM45k.

        You said that it looked like the Benz in the pix

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
    • what do you expect? bmw is an ah beng’s car. merc is the measure of luxury.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 21 Thumb down 18
    • Vader on Jan 07, 2014 at 5:55 pm

      The Benz latest design become more aggressive; the BMW latest design become more matured.
      This is another way round compare to 10 years ago..

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 31 Thumb down 1
    • sam69 on Jan 07, 2014 at 7:14 pm

      Too many cheap model from Mercedes, sure can sell more car.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 18 Thumb down 13
    • Sam Loo on Jan 07, 2014 at 7:27 pm

      So many cheap kimchis, but still very difficult to sell unless they come to my yard.

      Only Hyundais allowed now, KIA owners will be turned away politely first, followed by broomstick treatment, last resort is that they will be man handled out

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 27 Thumb down 12
      • SamShowedMeTheHilux on Jan 08, 2014 at 9:59 am

        Please stop using my name. You fake fella. Get a life. No backbone? Copy my name and use a Gravat to justify yourself.

        Be original and get a life!

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 8
      • sam69 on Jan 08, 2014 at 10:19 am

        Bro Sam, please accept the trade in on my K5. I have a booking confirmation of a Camry 2.0G for use 6 days across CNY.

        You can take my car anytime. I don’t wanna look bad if someone visits my house and finds that I am still having the KIA

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
    • A330-300 on Jan 08, 2014 at 10:22 am

      Very true. And with 4years warranty compare to BMW Malaysia’s 2 years, they gonna have a bad time when the CLA and W205 C-class launch in Malaysia.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 1
  • Hiroshi on Jan 07, 2014 at 3:24 pm

    merc banzai…in japan merc now overflow the street then any other brand…bty new s-class just a piece of art!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 26 Thumb down 3
    • weirdly, in Korea BMW outsells Mercedes-benz by quite a margin. Apparently when asked, they said that Koreans regards Mercedes as how we regard Toyota, old-ish, uncle and usually chauffeured. Most Korean prefer the young and stylish outlook that BMW gives….for now.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 21
      • ABTguy on Jan 07, 2014 at 5:27 pm

        I thought BMW is more conservative these days, keep photocopying the design across the range from F10 to F30 etc.

        Audi also do that, from A3 A4 & A6, but at least Audi cars are much more elegant than BMW.

        Mercedes is going aggressive with the new design language, it’s about time to put a BIG SLAP on the face of BMW.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 22 Thumb down 36
        • sam69 on Jan 07, 2014 at 7:19 pm

          Mercedes only can do it once in 14years time and that is only in US, and now you shout like there is no tomorrow. At least tiger also make love one year lah, don’t tell me Mercedes only make love once in every 14years.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 21 Thumb down 6
        • Personally I have no favorite amongst the German big 3 as far as design goes. On the high end luxury, I prefer the S-class sevelt design. In the mid-size luxury I prefer the F10 5series, and on the mid level, I like the Mercedes latest offering of the C-class thou if I have to choose, in that segment, I’ll choose Toyota’s answers to the German. Generally I like BMWs more amongst the big 3, because they have a look that dose not really stand out, but if you look closer it does look very good, like the handsome man in the back no one notices. And their powertrain caters for the spirited and enthusiast driving, balance and responsive. rather than the Merc’s über force and Audi’s go everywhere attitude. I share this opinion with Honda, as I’ve called it the poor mans BMW, because they share many similarities with the cars Munich in a lesser package.

          True, Mercedes are more aggressive in design in contrast to Audis Technik tour de force lookin like something from USS enterprise(NCC) . But BMWs more conservative and still unquestionably handsome gets my choice mostly. And if you say BMW is getting slapped by Merc, haven’t you notice the BMW i8 and 6er grand coupe

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 17 Thumb down 7
    • Sam Loo on Jan 08, 2014 at 2:11 am

      It is also wierd that the Camry being named the Car of the Year in kimchiland

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 1
  • Dr M and Cronies Bhd on Jan 07, 2014 at 3:46 pm

    And SOO WHAT ???

    The yanks generally don’t know JACK about cars !!!

    only the European cousins do!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 11
  • DrCooper on Jan 07, 2014 at 4:00 pm

    It seem they learned the lesson on targeting their market for young executive..hope this victory is not temporary..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 0
  • Black Dog on Jan 07, 2014 at 4:08 pm

    I’m all for Mercs. Some BMW models looks so ugly like a puffy face

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 11
  • Mr. Lover on Jan 07, 2014 at 4:17 pm

    I just ordered two A Class. One for my maid to drive to the market.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 15
  • Jinggo on Jan 07, 2014 at 4:47 pm

    Merc > BMW > Audi

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 13
  • Uncle Camry on Jan 07, 2014 at 5:07 pm

    Mercedes is back with high quality cars after trying to trick the buyers with cost saving and unreliable cars in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Many of the cars from that time were a disaster of breakdowns and expensive repairs.

    Lesson learned – you can’t compromise on quality and reliability. Customers will notice.

    But the company realised its mistake and the latest models have been of traditional Mercedes solidity. It is good to see Benz making great cars again.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 3
  • They r the second most reliable German cars after Porsche. Explains why it can sell so well. BMW, Volkswagen and Audi have to do lotsa catch up.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 3
  • EnergyAnalyst on Jan 07, 2014 at 5:22 pm

    Sounds like returning of the king. Long live the king!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 7
  • sudonano on Jan 07, 2014 at 7:05 pm

    I hope Mercedes MY is listening.

    What do we want? CLA Class!
    When do we want it? 2014!

    What do we want? S Class!
    When do we want it? 2014!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 16 Thumb down 3
  • Dato' Jack on Jan 07, 2014 at 8:58 pm

    Malaysia trend is difference… 1st goes to Audi… 2nd goes to BMW.. 3rd goes to VW… thats fact.. Camry is considered Car for orang gaji buat pergi ke pasar je pun… Preve is rakyat choice car for its safety features…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 11
    • nenekjack on Jan 07, 2014 at 9:06 pm

      first beemer than merc third audi. audi is never number one, that’s luxury in the eyes of malaysians.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 6
    • Audi is never number 1 in any markets in the world. The battle is always Merc VS BMW.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 3
    • Sam Loo on Jan 08, 2014 at 3:04 am

      Camry are staple corporate cars for SME’s

      In Malaysia, Benz is still the no. 1 preferred luxury car.

      BMW came in strong with the F10 & F30 but that is slowly fading after a series of disastrous quality issues, especially with the diesels

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 6
      • LotusGuy on Jan 08, 2014 at 11:00 pm

        Hey Sam Loo, u mean the BMW diesel engine sux?? FYI, It was 2010 and 2011 international engine of the year award winner.
        http://www.ukipme.com/engineoftheyear/archive.php
        http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ward’s_10_Best_Engines

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • BMW is the best Performance car in the World! Merc sux! Toyota is the best resale value in the World too.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 13
    • disgruntledBMWowner on Jan 09, 2014 at 2:55 pm

      What car u driving?? Bas Mini Wilayah ah?? Don’t tok cock la.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
  • VW Fanboi on Jan 07, 2014 at 10:21 pm

    Undisputed fact;
    VW > BMW > Merc > Audi.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 15
  • BrainlessSamHaiLat on Jan 08, 2014 at 1:15 am

    You cannot deny the fact that most of the malaysian like Volkswagen golf than BMW. Some will praise like it is the god. Just like how Sam Loo praise about his Hailux and Weios’s RV.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 6
  • udhayakumar on Jan 08, 2014 at 5:12 pm

    recently, i bought a Perodua Viva basic unit auto from Puspa Canggih at Jalan Ipoh Bt 5 and my sales person Ms Zila provide a terrible service with even the car only 2 months gave so much of problem as if it is a test drive. The sales person were so ignorant and arrogant to follow up on matters and i have to continuously cal them to get things done. To all readers beware if you dealing with Puspa Canggih dealers as they are not professional enough to run a showroom.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
    • disgruntledBMWowner on Jan 09, 2014 at 2:54 pm

      I bought a BMW new also facing bad service. Anyway good to boycott bad company. Thx for sharing. Hope ur genuine and not bcoz of dengki trying to tarnish people’s image. When u plan to buy a BMW in future as an upgrade, please forget it. Just drive ur Viva and ul be a happier man

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • BMW owner on Feb 03, 2014 at 2:55 am

    You can buy BMW, just don’t buy new from BMW Malaysia. Get imported ones, grey market, and join the BMW Malaysia club. You can take care of the car yourself, there are so many experts out there better than the BMW service people and so much cheaper parts. You’ll be a very happy man and can enjoy the ride.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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