Mercedes-Benz is serious about its intent to reclaim its previous number one position atop the luxury auto sales food chain. To catch its German rivals, Mercedes-Benz is borrowing a thing or two from BMW’s play book, and the net result may be good news for consumers.
If you lease new cars instead of buying them, Mercedes may let you skip up to five payments to help with your seasonal cash flow. Not every tri-pointed-star model is eligible, but the program beats a similar offer from BMW, which is allowing consumers to skip up to three payments.
If you’re one of the cool kids, Bloomberg (via Autoblog) explains that you may even be able to get in on Mercedes’ “VIP Customer” program, which is offered at the discretion of the dealership’s general manager. Typically, the program is offered to repeat customers, dealership business associates or dealership extended family members. What’s in it? Cash rebates up to $5,000 on select GL Class crossovers, though the more popular C Class vehicles only get a $750 rebate.
Mercedes dealerships have also been instructed to increase the number of house-brand courtesy vehicles, giving consumers the ability to buy lightly-used loaner cars at a significant discount. How much use they’re required to see before being flipped is the subject of some debate; earlier this year, critics accused BMW of selling virtually new inventory as dealer demos in order to pad sales numbers.
This much is clear: sales in Europe are down, and sales in China aren’t growing at the rate they once were. That leaves the United States as Mercedes’ best potential market, so consider that in your strategy if you’re in the market for a new luxury automobile.
Kurt Ernst has been passionate about automobiles and driving nearly his entire life. His early years were shaped working in the family service station, though his real passion was auto racing. After graduating from the University of Colorado, Kurt spent a year club racing with the Sports Car Club of America, before focusing on a business career in marketing and project management. Later, his passion for writing and the automotive hobby found him freelancing for a variety of automotive news sites, including Automotive Addicts and Motor Authority, where his work was syndicated and appeared in several national publications. Recognized as an expert in the automotive field, Kurt joined Hemmings Motor News as an Associate Editor in 2013, and in the years since has progressed to Editor, Hemmings Daily; Managing Editor for Hemmings Motor News, Hemmings Classic Car, Hemmings Muscle Machines, and the Hemmings Daily; and now, Managing Editor, Hemmings Auctions. Kurt was instrumental in organizing the Hemmings Motor News Concours d’Elegance from 2013-2019, and has served as a judge at this event and The Vintage Racing Stable Concours d’Elegance. A Skip Barber Racing School graduate and prolific writer, Ernst is also skilled in copyediting, project management, brand development, and public relations.
