MERCEDES-BENZ SA POSTS HIGH REVENUES

Mercedes-Benz South Africa did quite well in the year 2011. The company realised R23.6 billion in revenues, up 4% on 2010 values. At the same time it paid about R2 billion in taxes to Minister Pravin Gordhan’s SARS division. They also upped their junior level management to 60% in order to help achieve higher BBBEE levels.

Unfortunately only the fleet management division has gone up to Level 2 in BBBEE scores, while the mother company remains quite far behind. While these and other concerns will be addressed by hiring more black managers, increasing local suppliers and partners, it remains of concern that only 43% of senior management at MBSA are black. And in saying black we are including African, Indian and “coloured” management.

On a more positive note, MBSA announced that it will be building the upcoming, all-new C-Class (codenamed W205) from 2014 at its East London plant. The current-generation model produced 54 000 units and sold 13 762 locally. The rest went to export markets like the United States. Of interest is that Daimler AG has finalised plans for a USA-based manufacturing plant to produce the C-Class. How this will affect the Mzansi account is yet unknown.

All in all, 23 561 new Mercedes-Benz cars went into new domestic hands in 2011, thus realising a total market share of 7.1%. This is the highest market share for the brand outside of its German home market. The most popular models included the outgoing M-Class, B-Class and of course the C-Class itself.

As mentioned in this previous article, we expect new shape models of the M-Class, B-Class and SL-Class among others, in 2012. A facelifted E-Class could come in this year as well. Performance AMGs such as the SLK 55 AMG, ML 63 AMG and C 63 AMG Black Series (380kW) are also confirmed. Then in 2013 we’ll see the brand new GL-Class and A-Class compact hatch in South Africa.