Are all these new features enough to reverse the slide in car sales?
Sedans aren’t doing well, if you didn’t know. While some automakers have abandoned the segment because consumers prefer larger crossovers and SUVs to sedans, Mercedes doesn’t belong to that group. Since the introduction of its flagship S Class in 2014, sales have fallen. The German luxury automaker is optimistic that the seventh-generation model will reverse these declining sales.
According to Autocar, Ola Kallenius, Mercedes CEO, said that he is not concerned about SUVs and crossovers impacting the success of the new S-Class. The strong limousine market is one area where the new sedan could find owners and grow its sales. According to him, the segment has been “particularly resilient” for automaker. A look at the car’s sales history shows that.
The sixth-gen introduced the S-Class, which saw a spike in sales. According to data from CarSalesBase.com, the model’s sales numbers were similar in 2006, when the fifth-gen model was introduced, and again in 1999, with the fourth-gen. If past performance is any guide, 2021 could see similar sales. Even though the exterior may look familiar, customers who choose the new model should be happy with their purchase.
Mercedes has made many changes to the S-Class in 2021. These include increasing its overall size and maintaining the car’s athletic proportions. The new model boasts a 12.8-inch touchscreen and the most recent MBUX infotainment systems. A turbocharged 3.0-liter engine makes 429 horsepower in the S500, while a twin-turbo V8 generates 460 horsepower. Both models feature EQ Boost, the 48-volt mild hybrid system from the automaker. We should see the car’s sales numbers rise quickly if it has enough features to attract customers. Sales were 12,528 down from 14,978 in 2018, but they dropped to 12,528 in 2019.