Benz to get Smart
BY MARTON PETTENDY | 7th Nov 2001
Speaking at last week's launch of the facelifted M-class range and range-topping C32 AMG, Mercedes-Benz Australia managing director passenger cars Matthias Luhrs said the company would now focus on launching the new SL and confirmed Smart was still on the agenda for Australia.
But Mr Luhrs, buoyed by the possibility of October being the best sales month ever for Mercedes-Benz in Australia, said the strong-selling European micro car was a doubtful starter here before a higher-volume four-door version became available in 2004.
"Smart has not been ruled out for the Australian market but its introduction will be made easier in terms of volume by the four-seat model due in 2004," said Mr Luhrs.
Mercedes-Benz Australia passenger car product manager Andrew Harlock said he believed the two-seater Smart coupe/cabriolet on sale in Europe since 1998 would not attract the sales volumes and therefore the economies of scale required to launch, market and support a new brand like Smart in Australia.
"The four-seater will be an easier sell for us as it will attract higher volumes. We're very keen to sell Smart in Australia but unless we can substantiate volumes, which will be dictated by price, it will be difficult. It comes down to what consumers will pay," Mr Harlock said.
He said there was still a chance the two-seater Smart could appear before 2004 and it's believed about 1000 units per annum are required to make the Smart brand viable here. Base versions are likely to be sold at a mid-$20,000 price.
Closer to home, Mercedes-Benz already holds about 200 firm orders for next June's new SL, but with an allocation of just 60 cars for the second half of 2002 and the factory at full capacity, some customers will be forced to wait up to two years.
An all-new CLK coupe will follow the SL in July next year while the new E-class sedan will debut in September next year and a mild S-class facelift will appear before the end of 2002.
DaimlerChrysler Australia/Pacific managing director Roman Fischer said the new Vaneo mini people-mover was still under evaluation for Australia and that a decision would be made within months.
Further afield, Australia will be the first market outside Europe to receive the Nebus hydrogen-powered bus, with three examples of the $1 million-plus fuel cell bus hitting roads in Perth by the end of 2002.
Mercedes says the Nebus comes as a package complete with engineer and refuelling infrastructure, which could eventually form the basis of a future national refuelling network when the radical new technology eventually transfers to trucks and then passenger cars.
WHAT'S COMING
June, 2002: new SL convertible
July, 2002: new CLK coupe/convertible
September, 2002: new E-class sedan
December, 2002: facelifted S-class
2003: Maybach limousine
2003: SLR supercar
2004: new SLK roadster
2005 GST large off-roader