Benz on target despite oil woes

Nalin Viboonchart

The Nation

Mercedes-Benz has achieved its sales target for the first quarter despite rising oil prices, its dealer council said.

Council president Tipp Chantes said last week that all Thai dealers had been able to achieve the goal set by the parent company for the first quarter due to its policy of focusing more on services. However, she did not disclose the total sales volume.

After achieving sales volumes of nearly 10,000 cars per year for two successive years, Benz's sales fell sharply to 4,024 cars last year, she added.

She said the parent company had set a conservative target for the year mainly due to the high oil price, the prevailing economic sentiment and the political situation.

Mercedes-Benz has shifted its focus this year to services to satisfy clients and retain them as long-term customers. "The outlook for luxury cars in the Thai market this year is bright and Benz is a strong player," she said.

"Although the parent company set a conservative target, we continue to have more than 50 per cent market share in the luxury-car market," she said.

Tipp, who is also managing director of TTC Motors, a Mercedes-Benz dealer, said her company's sales volume in the first quarter exceeded the parent company's target by 6.5 per cent. About 6 per cent of Mercedes-Benz in Thailand are sold by TTC Motors.

There are 36 dealers across the country. The parent company has no plan to have more dealers in the Thai market at the moment, she said.

Mercedes Benz was recognised as the best-selling brand last year, with total sales of 4,024 units.

Data compiled by Tri Petch Isuzu Sales showed that the domestic passenger-car segment witnessed sales growth in the first four months despite higher oil prices. Sales of 67,618 units during the period represented a 32.44 per cent increase from the same period last year.

Toyota led the market with a share of 48.69 per cent, followed by Honda and Chevrolet with 34.69 per cent and 5 per cent respectively.