Mercedes-AMG sales hit record 20 per cent

MERCEDES-AMG’S share of Mercedes-Benz passenger car and SUV sales in Australia is running at a record 20 per cent this year, setting a new global benchmark for the brand.

While that rate is expected to fall away a little this year as pent-up demand for newly released mass-selling AMG models is sated, sales of vehicles from Mercedes’ hot shop are still expected to achieve record levels of about 6000 units in 2017, up from about 5000 units last year.

More AMG-fettled models are in the pipeline for launch this year, including an all-new E63 sedan and a revamped AMG GT sportscar range, including roadsters for the first time.

Globally, AMG’s percentage of Mercedes sales is usually in single figures, although some markets such as Australia, Canada and Japan have edged up into the 13-15 per cent range, with Australia usually leading the charge.

This year, however, the arrival of new AMG twin-turbo six-cylinder variants in the form of the C43, E43 and GLC43 have driven sales to record levels in Australia.

The top-selling AMG model remains the C63, which arrived in the first half of last year in sedan and estate guise.

Now also sold in coupe and cabrio forms, the C63 is expected to earn about 1000 sales in 2017, making it one of the top-selling high-performance luxury cars on the market.

AMG’s four-cylinder brigade – the A45, CLA45 and GLA45 – are also towards the top of the AMG sales charts.

Mercedes-Benz Australia/Pacific public relations, product and corporate communications senior manager David McCarthy said the next bump in AMG sales would come with the upcoming twin-turbo V8 E63 which is due in Australia before mid-year.

He said Mercedes dealers had a considerable order bank for the E63, even before pricing had yet to be formally announced.

“I think that when we announce the price you are going to be surprised,” he said.

The six-cylinder E43 that hit the market this month is priced at $159,900 plus on-road costs, almost $100,000 cheaper than the superseded E63.

This time around, the E63 is expected to be sold only in sedan form, with no estate or coupe in the offing for Australia.

The revised GT arrives in about the third quarter, with a lot of focus on the flagship GT R with its 430kW/700Nm.

According to Mr McCarthy, the GT R – available only in coupe form – also had a queue of would-be owners forming at dealerships, placing “a lot” of orders.

The new GT roadsters, in standard GT and new GT C forms, are both expected to be launched in Australia about mid-year.