AMG sales to surpass Porsche

MERCEDES-AMG sales will blast past Porsche’s total numbers by the end of the year, according to the German luxury car-maker, with figures between the two separated by less than 25 units at the end of July.

With a surge in volume expected from the just-launched C63 S range, as well as the soon-to-be-released GLE63 AMG, Mercedes' performance arm will record its strongest result since it launched in Australia in 1999, when it sold less than 350 cars.

Porsche has jumped to 2458 sales across its six-model range to the end of July, a leap of 57 per cent year on year, achieved with the help of the brand’s new mid-size Macan SUV. It has sold 1134 units despite restrictions placed on local supply, thanks to strong global demand.

Sales of its iconic 911 line are up 10 per cent year on year with 252 examples sold, while the Panamera has slipped 32 per cent over the same period to stand at 38 for the year.

Porsche Australia managing director Sam Curtis told GoAuto last month that the company was aiming for 4000 sales in 2015.

Mercedes-AMG, meanwhile, has sold 2436 cars in the same period, with A, CLA and GLA45 AMG variants doing the heavy lifting. Already, 100 C63 AMGs have been delivered, while the brand expects to be able to shift a further 300 by year’s end.

Mercedes-Benz Australia senior manager of public relations, product and corporate communications David McCarthy suggested to GoAuto that it isn’t a “key performance indicator” for the brand to beat its German rivals. “It's not something we must do,” he said. “As they've grown and we've grown, it would be a nice thing, but if they win by one unit, great. If we win by one unit, great.”

Speaking with GoAuto at a C63/AMG GT event in Victoria, Mr McCarthy also added that the new GLE63 AMG performance SUV could add a few to the bottom line.

“The ML63 AMG (SUV) was a big seller for a long time,” he said. “I think GLE Coupe, both the 450 and the 63, will do really well. It could surprise us.”

Mr McCarthy pointed to the wider market as a key factor in the current success of both AMG and Porsche in the Australian marketplace.

“I think the automobile market worldwide is recovering, but I don't think it's ever been more competitive,” he noted. “Transaction prices are always under pressure, and it's no different anywhere else from Australia. America's recovering quite strongly, I think Europe will show some more recovery, Asia itself is okay.

“China is down in a lot of segments, but unless the industry is down everywhere, there are always pockets that will pick up.”

Mr McCarthy said that both outfits should be pleased with their respective performances, no matter what the result at the end of 2015.

“I suspect both of us will have something to say in January, but it's pretty amazing when you think Porsche to be selling that volume and for AMG to be selling that volume,” he said. “Dare I say, that says a lot about the product.