Fifth consecutive record year for the German car manufacturer, cementing position as the No. 1 Luxury Lifestyle Brand in Malaysia
Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has announced another year of stellar highs. The 2018 results mark five consecutive record-breaking years. A total of 13,079 new cars were sold, a 9% overall growth on 2017, cornering 2.4% of the market for the inventor of the automobile.
In 2018, MBM’s best-selling models were the locally-produced saloons which recorded 7,910 units sold. This was followed by the Mercedes-Benz SUVs with 2,613 units sold, particularly popular were the locally-assembled Mercedes-Benz GLC 200 and GLC 250. The German marque expects continued positive demand for the SUV segment. The Mercedes-Benz compact cars recorded a total of 1,875 units sold, while the Mercedes-Benz Dream Cars, recorded a total of 662 units sold, a 77% growth for the three-pointed star‟s brand shapers.
There were 20 vehicle launches in 2018 which sustained the momentum for demand for Mercedes-Benz vehicles. The key launches included the locally-assembled Mercedes-AMG C 43 and GLC 43, Mercedes-AMG E 53 Sedan and Mercedes-AMG E 53 Coupé, its New Dream Cars Collection, the New Mercedes-Benz S-Class Family, and the all-new Mercedes-Benz A-Class and new generation C-Class.
To enable easier ownership of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, Mercedes-Benz Services Malaysia (MBSM) introduced of new products: AgilityPlus and Lease2Go. The financial and insurance services arm of MBM recorded a steady growth, financing four out of every 10 Mercedes-Benz vehicles sold and has a solid servicing portfolio of MYR 2.7 billion**
Meanwhile, MBM achieved their highest Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) After-sales score in history. The achievement has demonstrated the brand’s excellence in managing the high volume of Mercedes-Benz vehicles by maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction. The After-sales division serviced 148,800 vehicles in 2018.
MBM also hosted a number of customer events including Urban Hunting x ULTRA Singapore 2018, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Kuala Lumpur, the MercedesTrophy and introduction of the AMG Owners Club Malaysia (AOCM) which are aimed at elevating the AMG experience with exclusive access to all things AMG for owners.
Mercedes-Benz SEA II Skills Competition 2018 marked the competition‟s 10th anniversary and first year opening its doors to the
South East Asia II (SEAII) region. A total of 613 Customer Services Professionals and Advanced Modern Apprenticeship finalists competed for the title of best technician, service advisor and process specialist within the Mercedes-Benz network.
MBM launched five new outlets last year including the NZ Wheels Klang Autohaus, Hap Seng Star Setia Alam Autohaus and Asbenz Stern Kuantan Autohaus among others. To date, Mercedes-Benz has the largest premium dealer network in the country.
Mercedes-Benz Certified pre-owned vehicle programme was launched in 2018. The programme represents the highest
quality used cars from Mercedes-Benz worldwide, previously known as Proven Exclusivity.
Mercedes-Benz as a brand has invested over MYR 1 billion in the Malaysian market since 2003. In FY2018, the production plant in Pekan produced 9,854 vehicles, including the newest addition the Mercedes-Benz S 450 L and the Mercedes-AMG C 43 4MATIC Facelift.
And finally, MBM‟s long-term commitment is also demonstrated through the Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Training Academy built to develop the skills of Malaysia‟s youth and create meaningful job opportunities in the automotive industry. 2018 saw an additional 26 apprentices graduated bringing the total to 853 globally certified local apprentices who have passed through its doors since the establishment of the training programme.
**The numbers for 2018 are unaudited and subject to change.
