Mercedes-Benz UK has delivered its 100,000th new car since it implemented the Agency sales model in January 2023.
The 100,000th customer collected a new Mercedes-AMG E 53 Hybrid 4matic+ in March from Mercedes-Benz of Guildford, part of the Sandown Group.
“It is a privilege for Sandown to serve the 100,000th private retail customer to purchase a Mercedes-Benz under the Agency model,” said Gavin McAllister, group managing director, Sandown Motors, who heads Mercedes-Benz retailer board.
Mercedes-Benz UK has delivered its 100,000th new car since it implemented the Agency sales model in January 2023.
The 100,000th customer collected a new Mercedes-AMG E 53 Hybrid 4matic+ in March from Mercedes-Benz of Guildford, part of the Sandown Group.
“It is a privilege for Sandown to serve the 100,000th private retail customer to purchase a Mercedes-Benz under the Agency model,” said Gavin McAllister, group managing director, Sandown Motors, who heads Mercedes-Benz retailer board.
“This is a significant milestone for Mercedes-Benz agents and our partners at Mercedes-Benz UK, and underlines the considerable success we are achieving together: a desirable and ompetitive model range aligned with the trust that customers have in our contemporary and transparent pricing proposition.”
He said the Agency model hads proved to be a game-changer for the Mercedes-Benz network by enabling a high volume of profitable new car sales. “It’s undoubtedly giving us an edge in the market,” he added.
Mercedes-Benz UK recorded sales of 17,664 vehicles in March. AMG and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models performed especially well, with sales up by 49 and 38 percent respectively versus March 2024. With a market share of 4.7% and a total of 27,415 vehicles sold year to date with private retail deamnd increasing by 10%.
“Three years into our direct-to-consumer Agency model, Mercedes-Benz customers are full of praise for the seamless, personalised car buying journey we have developed. Rating us with an average of 4.85 out of 5 stars, both new and returning Mercedes-Benz customers express satisfaction with the experience we deliver in collaboration with our network partners,” added Sally Dennis, sales and marketing director, Mercedes-Benz UK
Moving into Q2, the business said Michelle Brogden has now taken over from Andrew Dean as head of sales at Mercedes-Benz UK. Reporting to Dennis, her appointment combines the national sales, campaign planning and sales operations functions.
The news comes in the same week that Mercedes-Benz Retail Group officially ceased trading after years of financial challenges, as revealed in its latest annual accounts.
The company’s financial struggles, which included substantial losses in recent years, led to the sale of its dealerships and the disposal of its leasehold premises.
Documents filed with Companies House indicate that the group has been working to settle its debts, with plans to transition the company into dormant status with the directors confirming that no future trading activity is expected.
Director Wolfgang Pipperger confirmed the closure, stating: “During the period, the company sold its remaining dealerships at which point the company ceased to trade. After the reporting date, the company disposed of its remaining leasehold premises, recovered its remaining trade and other receivables, and settled any outstanding trade and other payables with a view to move the company into a dormant status.”
The closure follows years of heavy financial losses, including a £35 million loss in 2019 and a £20.9 million loss in 2020. The group’s struggles culminated in the closure of its Bradford dealership, which had been in operation for 70 years, and ceased trading on October 31 last year.
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