Mercedes aims to hit the sales boost in 2014

MERCEDES-BENZ says it is well positioned to make 2014 another global record sales year, armed with its widest range of fresh models since 2009.

As the clock counted down towards the New Year, the German company said in a statement that it was on track for its best sales year ever in 2013 “with over 1.4 million passenger cars sold”.

But it needs to top its 2012 sales tally of 1,423,835 passenger cars to continue its record-breaking run.

Rival Audi is already claiming sales bragging rights over Mercedes, saying its 2013 global sales score has already passed 1.5 million.

However, both of them still have some way to go to catch luxury market leader BMW, which appears to be on target to become the first luxury car company to endanger the two million vehicle barrier, if Mini and Rolls-Royce-branded cars are included.

Of those, more than 1.6 million will be BMW-badged vehicles in another record performance by the propeller brand from Munich.

Mercedes-Benz says it will set a new production record of 1.49 million vehicles in 2013, with more capacity set to come on stream in 2014.

Company passenger car sales and marketing board member Ola Källenius said Mercedes-Benz’s 2020 growth strategy was already showing tangible results.

“In 2013, we have taken a decisive step forward in our strategy for growth,” he said.

“Our model initiative is well underway. The new Best Customer Experience sales and marketing initiative has allowed us to align ourselves better to the needs of our customers.

“At the same time, we are also optimising our internal sales structures. That means we are well positioned to make 2014 a record year as well.”The key to Mercedes’ plans for a bit year in 2014 will be the roll-out of the all-new C-Class – Mercedes’ traditional best seller – after its global debut at the Detroit motor show this January.

As well, Benz will have a full year of its mass-selling CLA compact sedan, A-Class hatch, mid-sized E-Class and the just-released S-Class luxury sedan.

Mercedes claims the S-Class has become the top-selling luxury sedan in the world since is launch in the past few months, and is already being produced to capacity at the Sindelfingen plant in Germany where a record 460 vehicles a day are coming off the line in two shifts.

Half of those cars are bound for China, where Mercedes added 75 dealerships in 2013.