Mercedes CLA is Brand's Best US Launch in 20 Years
The Mercedes-Benz CLA is off to a great start and according to the German automaker, it marks the brand’s best U.S. launch in 20 years.
The CLA’s sales are being called “a phenomenal success right out of the gate,” according to Mercedes-Benz USA head Steve Cannon. Not only does the German automaker anticipate tight inventories and low days supply from February through June 2014, it earlier told dealerships to expect fewer vehicles in the first half of next year as the plant in Hungary is already operating at full capacity.
SEE ALSO: 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 Coupe Review
Not only has the CLA help widen the gap in sales between competitor BMW, it has also brought new customers to Mercedes. The median age of the CLA-Class buyers is 46 while the C-Class is 54 and the brand is 57 overall.
“Our dealers say that they’re seeing a lot more floor traffic and many new faces,” said Cannon. “The increase in our overall model sales indicates that this traffic is benefiting all Mercedes-Benz models.”
GALLERY: 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG Live Shots
GALLERY: 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG
[Source: Bloomberg]
Discuss this story at our Mercedes-Benz CLA forum.
Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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