Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • Automotive News
  • Automobilwoche
  • Automotive News Canada
  • Automotive News China
Subscribe
  • Subscribe
  • Newsletters
  • Login
  • HOME
    • Latest news
    • Automakers
    • Suppliers
    • New Product
    • Environment/Emissions
    • Sales By Market
    • On The Move
    • Auto Shows
    • Munich Auto Show
    • Geneva Auto Show
    • Paris Auto Show
    • Beijing Auto Show
    • Shanghai Auto Show
  • Features
    • Long Read
    • Interview of the Month
    • Focus on Electrification
    • Focus on Technology
    • Segment Analysis
    • Cars & Concepts
    • Supplier Spotlight
    • Europe By The Numbers
  • Opinion
    • Blogs
    • Commentary
    • Guest columnists
  • Photos
    • Photo Galleries
    • Geneva Photo Gallery
    • Beijing Photo Gallery
    • Frankfurt Photo Gallery
    • Paris Photo Gallery
    • Shanghai Photo Gallery
  • Podcasts
  • Car Cutaways
  • EVENTS
    • ANE Congress
    • ANE Rising Stars
    • ANE Eurostars
  • More
    • Publishing Partners
    • Social Media
    • Contact Us
    • Media Kit
    • About Us
    • Capgemini: All or nothing: Why circular business models require a holistic approach
    • Capgemini: Invent Head on automotive takeaways from CES 2023
    • Capgemini: Securing the industry's future through a radical rethink
    • Capgemini: Succeeding with the automated driving journey through AI
    • Capgemini: The circular economy is spurring new thinking on EV batteries
    • Capgemini: Toyota and Capgemini leaders on how OEMs can handle industry changes and succeed
    • HEXAGON: Plugging into data is the only way to make winning EVs
    • TUV Rheinland: Ideas, services and certifications for smart mobility
    • TUV Rheinland: Testing of automated and autonomous vehicles on test tracks
    • Toyota Europe
    • UFI Filters
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. Automotive News Europe
January 06, 2014 12:00 AM

Mercedes beats BMW in U.S. luxury race

Rival's December dash made it a close 2nd

  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print
    Steve Cannon: Fresh product put Mercedes back in the top spot.

    Mercedes-Benz had to withstand another December charge by BMW to capture the U.S. luxury-brand sales crown for 2013 -- the first time Mercedes finished on top since 1999.

    Fresh products did the trick, said Steve Cannon, CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA.

    Mercedes launched the new CLA compact sedan and a redesigned S-class sedan in the fall and a significantly revamped E-class range earlier in the year. Cannon said improved customer service, the result of a major effort Mercedes undertook with its dealers last year, also played a role.

    "The volume is a validation of what we are doing in the marketplace and what we are doing with our dealers and our focus on customer experience," he said.

    Mercedes ended the year with record sales, up 14 percent from 2012 to 312,528. In December, its sales rose 17 percent to 33,007.

    2013 sales of 14,113 CLAs were a major contributor to Mercedes' win over BMW, but the S class and E class outsold the competing BMW 7 series and 5 series.

    Cannon said the CLA generated traffic in showrooms, but he said the vehicle is now in short supply.

    "The fact that we sold faster than we expected means we will have to deal with lean inventory for the first quarter," Cannon said.

    "But that will resolve in the second quarter."

    Buyers who came into showrooms looking for a CLA often wound up buying a C class, which will be redesigned this fall, Cannon said.

    Mercedes ended the year 3,248 units ahead of BMW division, which cut sharply into the lead in December. After 11 months, BMW had been 7,610 vehicles behind.

    Helped by an incentive blitz, BMW sold 37,389 units in December. That was about the same as December 2012, when BMW's late push enabled it to come from behind to snatch the 2013 luxury crown from Mercedes.

    "We were so close, it was OK -- it was less than 1 percent in the end," said Ludwig Willisch, CEO of BMW of North America.

    "December was an excellent month. It was better than we expected."

    Willisch said BMW could have done even better, but it did not have full availability of the redesigned X5 crossover, which arrived in the United States in late November.

    BMW division's U.S. sales for the year rose 10 percent to 309,280 units, breaking BMW's 2007 record.

    Willisch predicted another record year in 2014, with such products on the way as the 2-series coupe and convertible, the i3 all-electric car and the all-new X4 crossover.

    BMW was tops in U.S. luxury sales in 2012 and 2011. Before 2011, Lexus had finished first for 11 straight years.

    Lexus was No. 3 again in 2013, up 12 percent to 273,847 vehicles. December sales rose 14 percent to 34,757 units.

    "Lexus had its best sales month in seven years, and the luxury segment outperformed the overall auto industry in December" said Jeff Bracken, Lexus general manager. "We expect the luxury market will continue to expand in 2014."

    RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
    2022 Eurostar winner Enrico Salvatori of Qualcomm
    Recommended for You
    Enrico Salvatori
    2022 Eurostar winner Enrico Salvatori of Qualcomm
    Christian Dahlheim
    2022 Eurostar winner Christian Dahlheim of VW Financial Services
    Milan Nedeljkovic
    2022 Eurostar winner Milan Nedeljkovic of BMW
    Sign up for free newsletters
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    Get Free Newsletters

    Sign up and get the best of Automotive News Europe delivered straight to your email inbox, free of charge. Choose your news – we will deliver.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    SUBSCRIBE TODAY

    Get 24/7 access to in-depth, authoritative coverage of the auto industry from a global team of reporters and editors covering the news that’s vital to your business.

    SUBSCRIBE NOW
    Connect with Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn
    • Instagram

    Founded in 1996, Automotive News Europe is the preferred information source for decision-makers and opinion leaders operating in Europe.

    Contact Us

    1155 Gratiot Avenue
    Detroit MI  48207-2997
    Tel: +1 877-812-1584

    Email Us

    ISSN 2643-6590 (print)
    ISSN 2643-6604 (online)

     

    Resources
    • About us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise with us
    • Advertise with Us
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Awards
    • Rising Stars
    • Eurostars
    • Leading Women
    Legal
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    Automotive News Europe
    Copyright © 1996-2023. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • HOME
      • Latest news
      • Automakers
      • Suppliers
      • New Product
      • Environment/Emissions
      • Sales By Market
      • On The Move
      • Auto Shows
        • Munich Auto Show
        • Geneva Auto Show
        • Paris Auto Show
        • Beijing Auto Show
        • Shanghai Auto Show
    • Features
      • Long Read
      • Interview of the Month
      • Focus on Electrification
      • Focus on Technology
      • Segment Analysis
      • Cars & Concepts
      • Supplier Spotlight
      • Europe By The Numbers
    • Opinion
      • Blogs
      • Commentary
      • Guest columnists
    • Photos
      • Photo Galleries
      • Geneva Photo Gallery
      • Beijing Photo Gallery
      • Frankfurt Photo Gallery
      • Paris Photo Gallery
      • Shanghai Photo Gallery
    • Podcasts
    • Car Cutaways
    • EVENTS
      • ANE Congress
      • ANE Rising Stars
      • ANE Eurostars
    • More
      • Publishing Partners
        • Capgemini: All or nothing: Why circular business models require a holistic approach
        • Capgemini: Invent Head on automotive takeaways from CES 2023
        • Capgemini: Securing the industry's future through a radical rethink
        • Capgemini: Succeeding with the automated driving journey through AI
        • Capgemini: The circular economy is spurring new thinking on EV batteries
        • Capgemini: Toyota and Capgemini leaders on how OEMs can handle industry changes and succeed
        • HEXAGON: Plugging into data is the only way to make winning EVs
        • TUV Rheinland: Ideas, services and certifications for smart mobility
        • TUV Rheinland: Testing of automated and autonomous vehicles on test tracks
        • Toyota Europe
        • UFI Filters
      • Social Media
        • Facebook
        • Instagram
        • LinkedIn
        • Twitter
      • Contact Us
      • Media Kit
      • About Us