Mercedes predicts strong Q2 growth after solid April

admin — Tue, 11 May 2010 11:52:22 +0000

Sales of Daimler AG’s Mercedes-Benz brand rose 15.3 percent to 93,100 units in April, 2010, the third German luxury carmaker to confirm that a recovery in demand continued over last month.

“It’s a great start into the second quarter during which we plan to substantially boost sales,” Joachim Schmidt, head of sales and marketing for Daimler’s passenger car business, said in a statement. “In line with the sales development, our incoming orders have increased significantly as well. That is particularly due to the high demand in China and the U.S. and the great success of the E and S class.”

Mercedes continues to lag rivals BMW AG and Audi AG in global sales through April by about 20,000 units each.

Daimler also is struggling to achieve any growth with its Smart brand. After an 11 percent drop to just 9,000 units in April, Daimler hopes a refreshed ForTwo in the next quarter will provide a boost to sales.

Audi makes an impact: Audi A1

admin — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 06:03:56 +0000

The new Audi subcompact Audi A1, which hits European showrooms in May with a $22,000 sticker, is an attempt to bring standard luxury features to a segment that traditionally shuns them to keep prices low. Additionally, the A1 will get an electric version, dubbed the A1 E-tron, which also debuted. Audi says it does not yet have plans to bring it to the United States.

“Loading luxury into subcompact cars throws the traditional price-value equation out the door and is a fascinating concept,” executive editor Roger Hart said. “In Europe and in some other global markets, the A1 could change that thinking about entry-level cars.”

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Mercedes predicts strong Q2 growth after solid April

Audi makes an impact: Audi A1