Mercedes-AMG set to expand global range to 48 models by the end of 2016: 12 dedicated AMG Performance Centres for Australia
Even after a record year of global sales in 2015 (68,875 units) Mercedes-AMG is looking to expand the sporting vehicle line up to a staggering 48 models by the end of 2016.
Speaking with CarAdvice at the 2016 Geneva motor show, Mercedes-AMG Chief Executive Tobias Moers also confirmed that an AMG E43 sedan and C63 Cabriolet would be part of the onslaught of new vehicles.
We will also see a GLC43 join the 2016 AMG fleet, and by a rough count of S and non-S variants, 450 AMG models and planned 2016 releases, came to the same 48-vehicle conclusion.
Mercedes-AMG | |||
---|---|---|---|
A45 Hatch | C63 S Cabriolet | E63 S Sedan | GLS 63 |
C43 Sedan | C63 S Coupe | E63 S Estate | GT Coupe |
C43 Cabriolet | C63 S Estate | G63 | GT S Coupe |
C43 Coupe | CLA45 | G65 | S63 Sedan |
C43 Estate | CLA45 Shooting Brake | GLA45 | S63 Cabriolet |
C450 AMG Sedan | CLS63 | GLC43 | S63 Coupe |
C450 AMG Estate | CLS63 S | GLE63 | S65 Sedan |
C63 Sedan | CLS63 Shooting Brake | GLE63 Coupe | S65 Cabriolet |
C63 Cabriolet | CLS63 S Shooting Brake | GLE63 S | S65 Coupe |
C63 Coupe | E43 Sedan | GLE63 S Coupe | SL63 |
C63 Estate | E63 Sedan | GLE450 AMG | SL65 |
C63 S Sedan | E63 Estate | GLE450 AMG Coupe | SLC43 |
While not all these cars will make their way to Australia, it is a committed line-up by the now 'official' sub-brand of Mercedes-Benz.
But Moers says, Mercedes-AMG is not out on its own. “It’s not an independent brand, it’s a brand linked to Mercedes-Benz,” he said. “It gives us more and more freedom and we are moving ahead.”
Mercedes-AMG will grow its unique 'Performance' sales and service centres with a roll-out of 12 sites around Australia over the next 12 months.
"(Mercedes-Benz) Dealers are running out of space. If we have 48 variants of our cars in our portfolio, what about Mercedes then? Nobody has space in the showrooms," said Moers.
"In Germany, where we have had the new Performance Center for one year now, we increased traffic, we increased leads and the success of the leads in terms of sales - which is great."
A greater emphasis on motorsport may help boost the brand's awareness further, with a mooted GT4-class racer to compliment the new AMG GT GT3 race machine. Moers noted that "most drivers without the budget for GT3 would appreciate to have a GT4, and this is what we are working for."
Australia's first Mercedes-AMG Performance Centre was launched in Brisbane in 2015.