Mercedes-Benz expects to end 2010 as 3rd place luxury brand

According to Ernst Lieb, CEO of Daimler AG’s United States operations, the brand expects to end the 2010 year in third-place, when competing against other luxury automakers. Why? Because Mercedes-Benz won’t offer any crazy sales incentives during the holiday season.

“We will be No. 3 because we will not participate in any funny games in December,” Lieb said. “There is no need to push in the 12th month.”

So far through the end of November 2010, Mercedes-Benz U.S. sales came in at 203,475, Lexus came in second at 201,769 units and BMW followed behind with 196,833 units sold.

Who will come in first? Lexus officials say that they expect to retain their luxury automaker crown again in 2010 and are counting on some incentives in Dec. to help with the process.

– By: Stephen Calogera

Source: Detroit News