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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 HatchC63 S CabrioletE63 S SedanGLS 63
C43 SedanC63 S CoupeE63 S EstateGT Coupe
C43 CabrioletC63 S EstateG63GT S Coupe
C43 CoupeCLA45G65S63 Sedan
C43 EstateCLA45 Shooting BrakeGLA45S63 Cabriolet
C450 AMG SedanCLS63GLC43S63 Coupe
C450 AMG EstateCLS63 SGLE63S65 Sedan
C63 SedanCLS63 Shooting BrakeGLE63 CoupeS65 Cabriolet
C63 CabrioletCLS63 S Shooting BrakeGLE63 SS65 Coupe
C63 CoupeE43 SedanGLE63 S CoupeSL63
C63 EstateE63 SedanGLE450 AMGSL65
C63 S SedanE63 EstateGLE450 AMG CoupeSLC43

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.

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James Ward

With over 20 years of experience in digital publishing, James Ward has worked within the automotive landscape since 2007 and brings experience from the publishing, manufacturer and lifestyle side of the industry together to spearhead Drive's multi-media content direction.

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