Hot! Merc SL Shock: Sales already down 34% in YTD Sales 2014

[far2000]

im just totally shocked, i guess the headlights really do make the car ugly, this is the lowest launch in sales for the New shape SL class..

the f/l realy needs to come out to save this from being a total loss...

#217Mercedes-Benz SL-Class28604319-33.8%318479-33.6%


http://www.goodcarbadcar.net/2014/0...y-make-model-july-2014-ytd-sales-figures.html

 

[Merc1]

Most cars drop in their second and third year of sales. The SL400 will bring some sales back and the SL is way past it's "launch" period. It's been on sale here since spring 2012, well over 2 years ago.


M

 

[far2000]

Year
Mercedes-Benz
SL-Class
U.S. Sales
Mercedes-Benz
SL-Class
Canadian
Sales
2002
13,717
n/a
2003
13,318
n/a
2004
12,885
599
2005
10,080
417
2006
8462
345
2007
6126
286
2008
5464
398
2009
4025
268
2010
2385
230
2011
1449
191
2012
4899
335
2013
7007
398
2014 YTD *
2860
257
Source: Automakers & ANDC


is this the end of the SL Class? as you can see sales have been much lower compared to 2002 when
the new one launched.

 

[emve]

For me, SL is probably one of very few cars (if not the only one) that Daimler didn´t get right in last few years.

As far I can remember, previous generation of SL back in 2002 was by far more attractive in those times, and specs/performance of SL55 AMG was mind-blowing in those years. Heck, it was on par with Gallardo that came 2 years later. Now, any SL AMG would be left in dust by Huracan.

 

[PC Valkyrie]

I have been and continue to be a MB fan. To me, the current SL is not a pretty car. I am not surprised at all that it is not selling as well. It's too "bloated" from every angle, and the front is a disaster, in my opinion.

To me, the most handsome SL is the R230 (pre-facelift preferred). In fact, I fell in love with the MB design language of the early and mid 2000's, starting with the W220.

 

[Wunderkind]

Another problem is that the market is now crowded with alternatives to the SL. The BMW 6-series, the 911 cabriolet/targa, Ferrari California, Bentley Conti-GT, Jaugar XK.

The Porsche 911 turbo, Bentley Conti-GT, and Ferrari California have been taking a lot of sales from the high-end SL models such as the SL63 and SL65.

 

[Rolf]

In this price bracket looks and desirability and heritage play a major factor and in the looks and desirability department the latest SL in my opinion is a big disaster, it is no where as attractive as the car it replaced, the front lights with their over designed day time running lights look terrible at certain angles, the grill design doesn't look complete and the back lights make the boot look too flat. I really hope Mercedes update this cars looks soon as I feel this SL will eventually be the worst selling SL in its history.

 

[Germany10]

In this price bracket looks and desirability and heritage play a major factor and in the looks and desirability department the latest SL in my opinion is a big disaster, it is no where as attractive as the car it replaced, the front lights with their over designed day time running lights look terrible at certain angles, the grill design doesn't look complete and the back lights make the boot look too flat. I really hope Mercedes update this cars looks soon as I feel this SL will eventually be the worst selling SL in its history.

The problem are the eyebrows and the inner angle of the lights, in other words a minor detail, but the car over all is magnificent .

 

[far2000]

i think its already a sales disaster...

 

[DblPen]

And looks might not even help, just look at Z4

 

[EKaru]

I think many potential SL buyers are holding out for the AMG GT..

 

[far2000]

wont the amg gt be priced almost double the sl 550?

 

[jackywhatever]

There are many R230 in Hong Kong, and I have seen 1 (no kidding - one) R231 since launch
I heard the chassis improved a lot though.

(My family still own a R129 w/M120)

 

[Centurion]

I was very critical of the car when it was launched. The roof is identical to the one on the predecessor and so is the shape. The car doesn't look new but more of a re-skin which isn't good enough for a flagship model. Although it's unique with its metal folding roof - it's no longer a deal breaking selling point

The fact that the SLS AMG is so beautiful hasn't helped the SL either.

 

[Merc1]

The above numbers look at pre-recession sales. No car at the high end is selling at that level again. Only the Audi A8 sells better now than it did back then. Most cars are just now teaching those heights again, if at all. Much ado about nothing IMO. Mercedes isn't going to discontinue the SL based on us market sales being down.


M

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

I think the impact of looks is being overestimated rather than the broader variables.

It's interesting to note that the SLK is selling very well in the US compared to the Z4, despite it sharing it's unfortunate front end with the SL The Z4 on the other hand is quite a beauty.

 

[far2000]

@Merc1: I guess you the only person on gcf not to acknowledge that the new SL hAS not been
a hit at all, rather a miss... just look at the front n see the damage merc did to the car..

 

[Merc1]

@Merc1: I guess you the only person on gcf not to acknowledge that the new SL hAS not been
a hit at all, rather a miss... just look at the front n see the damage merc did to the car..

No I didn't say that car was a success, what I said was that no car sells at the heights that they did before 2008-2009, except the Audi A8. Look up the numbers if you don't believe me. Secondly I have already gone on record saying that I don't like the current SL otherwise I would have bought one back in 2012. Lastly, it isn't unusual for a car to drop in sales after 18 months on the market. The current SL has been on sale here since Spring 2012 which is way over 2 years. I think the thread and the whole conversation is pointless actually and it is silly to think Mercedes is going to drop the SL because it hasn't done as well as the previous one in a market where very few cars have reached their previous heights.

M

 

[GBOY]

This must be the answer?
http://www.edmunds.com/car-news/2015-mercedes-benz-sl400-starts-at-84925.html?

 

[Wunderkind]

I think the SL is caught in a strategy bind from a product planning perspective.

With the S-Class Coupe being launched right now the cabriolet version to be launched in other 16 months, I think Mercedes will delay the much needed facelift for the SL in order to avoid the two models cannibalising one another. The SL facelift will probably take another 24 months at least, and probably even longer, in order to give the S-Coupe/Cabriolet some space.

The downside of this is that the SL will have to soldier on in its current form much longer than desired and with the facelifted Ferrari California, the Porsche 911 and the BMW 6-series scheduled for their respective facelifts in the next 12-16 months, things are looking dire for the SL. But the upside is that Mercedes will now have ample time to restyle the SL (if not already signed off by the Mercedes Board) and pack it with the next generation technology to take it back above the S-Coupe to the top of the packing order.