KUALA LUMPUR: Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Sdn Bhd has today launched its highly-anticipated flagship vehicle, the new S-Class, on the back of rising optimism of a stronger sales recovery.
The S-Class is the world's best-selling luxury limousine and for the Malaysian market, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia will locally assemble the S 580 e plug-in hybrid to replace its predecessor at the company's plant in Pekan, Pahang.
Mercedes-Benz Malaysia vice president of passenger cars Michael Jopp said it had been a roller-coaster for the local automotive sector this year.
But he expects things to significantly improve in 2022, with Mercedes-Benz Malaysia possibly beating its 2019 sales, after an expected flat 2021 performance over 2020's.
"We thought that when we entered 2021 versus the previous year, the outlook would be very optimistic. And then with total lockdowns, the first one being relatively short but the second being very long, that led to some significant setbacks. Our dealers could not sell.
"If I take into consideration the development over the last two to three months, as customers responded to our launches, I am very confident about next year. I think we are maximising our sales potential right now," Jopp told reporters after the launch here today.
"Looking at our current orders, the response continues to be very, very strong and we are very confident going into next year. And I'm also happy about closing this year," he added.
Meanwhile, Jopp said the new S-Class had set the benchmark of luxury limousine, and was a testament of Mercedes-Benz Malaysia's commitment to reinforcing its local commitment to expand local foothold in the country.
"The vehicle underpins our claim to produce the best automobile in the world. This is where covetable luxury meets the greatest possible safety and highest level of comfort. The S-Class is the centerpiece of the brand, and stands for the fascination of Mercedes-Benz. It follows a long tradition that extends back to the beginnings of the Mercedes brand in the early 20th century," he added.
Mercedes-Benz Malaysia is assembling the first batch of 12 units of the S 580 e and expects to start delivering the limousines to its customers early next year.
Mercedes-Benz said well before the official designation S-Class, the models in the executive and luxury class were the mainstay of the Stuttgart-based company's portfolio and have always stood for luxury, comfort, safety and lifestyle.
The continuous ancestry of the S-Class begins with the model 220 (W 187) of 1951. The designation S-Class was officially introduced with the 116 series in 1972.
Since its market launch, more than four million S-Class limousines have been delivered to customers worldwide.
Locally, Mercedes-Benz has sold over 18,000 S-Class limousines since its first introduction in the late 1970s.