Mercedes-Benz SL on German Sportscar Sales Attack
Mercedes’ Flagship Drop Top Threatens Porsche 911 on Sportscar Charts
The latest sportscar sales figures out of Germany make for some interesting reading. Traditionally the domain of Porsche’s 911, a new pretender has emerged to the throne and it’s a bit of a surprise to some. The Mercedes-Benz SL has shot into second position in a market that has also grown significantly year-on-year
Sportscar Sales Almost a Third Up
Germany’s KBA Federal Motor Transport Authority in Flensburg reports that 224,816 new cars were licensed in that country for the first time in September 2022. That’s a considerable 14.1 percent up on a year ago. The sportscar segment however grew by more than double that at 32.8 percent, as markets return to normality after an absurd couple of years. The 2,286 new sportscar registrations represent about one percent of the market.
Digging a bit deeper and it emerges that longtime sportscar sales champion Porsche 911 remains out front on 685 new registrations. That’s 17.5 percent up compared to the previous year. But the 911 is now under pressure for the first time in a while. The new Mercedes SL has literally appeared out of nowhere to suddenly take second place on an impressive 415 new registrations.
Two Mercedes Models in Sportscar Top 3
Mercedes has two cars on the German sportscar sales podium, but third place in an old favorite. 219 examples of the new E-Class coupé found homes in September. That shoved the BMW Z4, Audi TT and Ford Mustang off the podium. A third Mercedes, the AMG GT sits in seventh. Other losers include the Porsche Boxster taking a 50.7% sales bath in ninth place. The Jaguar F-Type dropped 13.5% over the year in eleventh place, and the Audi R8 hemorrhaged 61.5% down in 17th.
German New Sports Car Registrations Top Ten September 2022 1. Porsche 911 685 2. Mercedes SL 415 3. Mercedes E-Class Coupe 219 4. BMW Z4 193 5. Audi TT 171 6. Ford Mustang 158 7. Mercedes AMG GT 94 8. Porsche Cayman 78 9. Porsche Boxster 72 10. Toyota Supra 51
Images: Mercedes-Benz