Mercedes-Benz CEO Predicts Sales Growth

Mercedes-Benz US suffered a 20 percent fall this year, but better times seem to be ahead, as they posted a 21.3 percent rise in US sales in October, making it the best month of the year so far. Mercedes-Benz US' CEO Ernst Lieb thinks the industry wide atmosphere seems to be improving, though it’s too early to know if it’s something important.

"I think it's too early to say it's turning," Lieb told Autonews. "At best I would say it's maybe some stabilization. The market becomes a little bit more predictable, from a dealer perspective at least. There seems to be some traffic. People are a little bit more willing to look at a new car and spending money."

The luxury car maker was affected, just like most auto makers, by the global recession, as the sales plunged. Lieb said the US auto market is taking a step in the right direction but is "certainly not in the clear yet."

"We should be seeing a little bit of plus on November and most likely in December," he said of Mercedes' U.S. sales. Lieb thinks that for 2010, the forecast for industry wide sales of 11.3 million vehicles appears "realistic" and Mercedes could potentially increase its market share next year, especially with its redesigned E-Klasse model.

Another sales boost is expected from the launch of Mercedes’ hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicles next year. Lieb said the company will be launching only 50 such vehicles initially as it tests the public response. While Mercedes is experimenting with fuel cell vehicles, the technology "still has a long way to go."