Mercedes Malaysia to boost brand presence

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) is seeking opportunities to increase its brand presence in tandem with developments in the country and new line of models to be introduced later this year.

"Currently, we are on an analytical phase to identify opportunities not only in the Klang Valley but also in other regions within Malaysia," said Mercedes-Benz Malaysia President and Chief Executive Officer Roland S. Folger at a media briefing today.

In an effort to increase brand presence, he said the automaker was making sure that it was properly represented in tandem with projected growth areas in other regional developmental projects in the country.

"The majority of growth experienced by us is in the Klang Valley, with the dominance of our customer base here, while the next phase of growth would be in other regional developments, be it in the East or South coast, like Iskandar Malaysia (in Johor)," he said.

At the media briefing, Folger said MBM achieved a new high in its sales performance, posting the company's best ever half-year performance for its overall sales of passenger cars and commercial vehicles.

The company sold 3,900 units in the first half, a 22.6 per cent increase from 3,182 units sold in the same period last year.

Last year, the company recorded sales close to 7,000 units comprising 5,003 passenger cars and 1,967 commercial vehicles.

"Based on the strong first-half, we are on track to post another record year for both passenger and commercial vehicles sales, reinforcing our position as the leading premium passenger car brand in the country," he said.

Besides the best half-year sales performance, the company had also recorded the best ever second quarter with 2,178 vehicles sold and the best ever June sales of 480 vehicles.

He added the results clearly showed that Mercedes-Benz was the preferred premium brand among customers in the segment with a market share of 47 per cent.

Meanwhile, MBM Vice-President for Sales & Marketing, Kai Schlickum added that the company would be introducing the brand new face-lift C-Class by the end of the month and brand shapers like the SLK Roadster and the CLS 4-door Coupe later this year. -- Bernama