Motor Trader The award-winning and longest running UK magazine for car retailing professionals. Your first stop for News, Jobs and Reports for the motor industry.
Mercedes-Benz dealers will be hoping to boost sales of AMG models following the launch of a new entry-level range.
The German maker’s performance sub-brand is introducing a new line-up dubbed AMG Sport, as it seeks to double sales within three years.
The AMG Sport models will slot into the gap between standard Mercedes-Benz cars that have had AMG styling accessories added, and the full-house AMG models.
Full specification details will be issued shortly before the first two AMG Sport cars are unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show in January, but Mercedes says each will have its power increased, chassis and braking upgrades taken directly from AMG models and all-wheel-drive ‘in some markets’.
Sources in the industry suggest that the first two AMG Sport cars will use the 3-litre V6 engine of the Mercedes C 400, but uprated from 334 to 360bhp plus. This would sit neatly 100 horsepower below the C 63 AMG model.
AMG sold 32,000 cars in 2013 and expects to increase this past 40,000 in 2014. According to Chairman Thomas Moers, the target is more than 64,000 by 2017.
Opening up new customer groups and segments will raise the company’s profile and boost AMG’s sales potential worldwide, Moers says.
“The new Sport models represent a convincing proposition for our customers: genuine sports car technology becomes accessible, appealing to an even broader-ranging clientele worldwide,” he adds.
Andrew Charman
