PETALING JAYA: The E-Class model line remains an important pillar of growth for Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) despite the fact its SUVs have become increasingly popular.
Sedans spanning the A-, C-, E- and S-Class collectively still outsell the SUV portfolio, said Mercedes-Benz Malaysia vice-president of sales and marketing Michael Jopp at an online media roundtable session on Friday.
The company's SUVs are the GLA, GLB, GLC, GLE, GLS and the G-Class.
Pointing out that the sedans and SUVs are not competing against each other, Jopp said the Mercedes range of high-riding SUVs caters to a different set of customers.
In its latest launches, Mercedes-Benz introduced the facelifted W213 E-Class sedan in late July, followed by the roll-out of the C238 coupe variant two weeks later. MBM simplified the sedan line-up to the E 200 Avantgarde and E 300 AMG Line, removing the E 350 AMG Line.
The E 200 and E 300 are priced at RM326,943.19 and RM375,432.19 respectively. The two-door coupe, available only as the E 300 AMG Line Coupe, retails for RM495,071. The sedans are locally assembled while the coupe is fully imported.
The E-Class sedan is produced only for the Malaysian market and is not exported regionally.
Jopp.
While rival BMW had just introduced a long wheelbase 3 Series to Malaysia, Jopp said Mercedes will not go down that route for its C-Class, adding "we have the right portfolio right now."
Daimler AG is ramping up vehicle electrification, declaring in July that it expects electric and hybrid electric cars to make up 50% of sales by 2025 — with all-electric cars expected to account for most of that.
Mercedes-Benz Malaysia is keen to bring in more plug-in hybrids and pure electric cars in future but the Government has to weigh in with attractive incentives to make it economically viable to package a competitive product, said Jopp.
While parallel importers may attempt to bring in Mercedes' EQ electric cars ahead of MBM, the early adopters may end up at a disadvantage when it comes to servicing such high-tech cars.
Jopp pointed out that servicing EVs is a new ballgame and that current Mercedes dealers have no expertise to do it — yet.
As to how dealers are faring with the Covid-19 lockdown, Jopp said it was tough and "they are coping well at the moment". "But no one can survive a lockdown indefinitely."
On that note, Mercedes dealers will finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. Starting tomorrow, all car dealerships have been given the green light to resume business. But they are allowed to entertain only visitors and customers who have been fully vaccinated.
