Global Economic Recovery? Mercedes Sales Surge
Mercedes-Benz made great gains in many automotive markets in July. The brand had its best month ever in China (incl. Hong Kong), where it sold 14,600 passenger vehicles (July 2009: 4,800), an increase of 205 percent compared to the same month last year. As a result, Mercedes-Benz remains the fastest-growing premium brand in China.
Mercedes-Benz achieved its biggest gains last month in the dynamically growing market of South Korea, where 1,300 customers bought a vehicle bearing the Mercedes star. This was five times the number sold in July of last year (plus 446 percent). Within the Asia/Pacific region, sales also rose substantially in Australia (plus 48 percent). Mercedes-Benz in July also achieved its best month ever in Russia (plus 116 percent). Record sales were posted as well in India (plus 142 percent) and Turkey (plus 155 percent)."
11 Comments:
Mercedes-Benz achieved its biggest gains last month in the dynamically growing market of South Korea, where 1,300 customers bought a vehicle bearing the Mercedes star.
...which will promptly be studied and copied by Hyundai.
Never mind the irony of Mercedes Benz being ripped off blatantly by the Ssangyong Chairman. Or the multitudes of other copied cars.
Sounds like Mercedes was wise to spin off Chrysler -- this article has prompted me to look closer at German automakers again, thanks...
Great news for my home state of Alabama, where Mercedes has a plant to make their "foreign" made cars.
Mercedes-Benz made great gains in many automotive markets in July. The brand had its best month ever in China (incl. Hong Kong), where it sold 14,600 passenger vehicles (July 2009: 4,800), an increase of 205 percent compared to the same month last year. As a result, Mercedes-Benz remains the fastest-growing premium brand in China.
Mercedes-Benz achieved its biggest gains last month in the dynamically growing market of South Korea, where 1,300 customers bought a vehicle bearing the Mercedes star. This was five times the number sold in July of last year (plus 446 percent). Within the Asia/Pacific region, sales also rose substantially in Australia (plus 48 percent). Mercedes-Benz in July also achieved its best month ever in Russia (plus 116 percent). Record sales were posted as well in India (plus 142 percent) and Turkey (plus 155 percent)."
I'd bet a fair amount of them are Guard editions that are built far, far from the South. Third world thugs gotta impress, and Mercedes Benz easily does that job.
Besides, the Alabama government got easily bought through its fleet deal w/ Benz. Plenty of bulk-quality cars that end up being a jobs program for Alabama. No different than the Police Interceptors from Ford or the 9C* from GM - except that Detroit will sell a turboless RWD car on the cheap.
"No different than the Police Interceptors from Ford or the 9C* from GM - except that Detroit will sell a turboless RWD car on the cheap."
You do understand that the Ford PI is not made in this country, don't you? And that the GM 9C* hasn't been available for a long time?
You do understand that the Ford PI is not made in this country, don't you?
It's a lot easier to deal with Canada than it is Mexico. People don't generally get smuggled in from/to Canada. Canada isn't considered a place where "company towns" get set up. They're quite friendly to deal with in person.
Even my previous cars came from Canada (Buick Regal, 3.1 & 3.8). Aside from headgasket issues on the 3800, they're quite nice for a turboless FWD car. A lot nicer than the Opel junk being passed off for a Regal these days.
And that the GM 9C* hasn't been available for a long time?
Whatever they call the police package these days at General Motors is what I mean.
A lot nicer than the Benz fleet. A lot less world-oriented than the Benz fleet.
BMW is having a similar experience. 5 series are selling like hotcakes in china.
the simple fact is that the upper middle/upper class in china is becoming big enough to matter. this is EXCELLENT news for higher end manufacturers with strong brands. the chinese have at least as strong a desire for premium brands as the west.
such an emergence and a desire for premium western brands (german cars, designer clothes, etc) is what will finally begin to close the trade gap. the chinese will want all the same status symbols and high quality products that we do.
a great many brands have been establishing footholds in china in preparation for this trend. i hope they do very well.
sethstorm the selective Xenophobic says:
"It's a lot easier to deal with Canada than it is Mexico.
How so? Language? Ethnicity?
"People don't generally get smuggled in from/to Canada."
True, but I'm not sure what this has to do with the subject at hand.
"Canada isn't considered a place where "company towns" get set up."
Hmmm. Windsor, Ontario isn't a 'company town'? How about these?
"They're quite friendly to deal with in person."
Yes. Just like in Mexico.
"such an emergence and a desire for premium western brands (german cars, designer clothes, etc) is what will finally begin to close the trade gap. the chinese will want all the same status symbols and high quality products that we do."
Yes, and imagine what will happen when they begin demanding payment for their exports instead of loaning us the money to buy them, and demand of their government that their currency be allowed to adjust so that those items they imports can cost less.
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"A war that literally erases the debt by crippling the creditor? The way things are, that is a very distinct possibility."
What a vivid imagination you have. That just doesn't make sense. You think the US should go to war with China to keep from having to pay back money that's owed?
Is that how you treat your creditors? Go back to sleep, Seth.
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