Mercedes-Benz Cars New Zealand is celebrating after becoming the number one premium vehicle manufacturer here for the sixth consecutive year, despite challenging operating conditions in 2020.

Registration data for the 2020 calendar year supplied by the Motor Industry Association showed Mercedes-Benz Cars sold 1967 new cars and SUVs, while Toyota was the top-selling brand overall.

In his first full year as the General Manager of Mercedes-Benz Cars, Lance Bennett said the year served up a number of difficulties.

“It was an incredibly busy year for Mercedes-Benz Cars, relocating to a new office location and with COVID-19 changing the way we work as a team.

“In spite of this, we were able to launch 17 new models and variants, including the debut of the GLB compact seven-seat SUV,” he said.

“A sign of New Zealand’s voracious appetite for AMG models is that 12 of those ne2 variants featured an AMG badge, including the astonishing new A 45 S and CLA 45 S.”

He said a particular highlight was the all-electric EQC SUV being named NZ Motoring Writers Guild Car of the Year for 2020.

“As our first pure-electric model offered for sale in New Zealand, we are honoured to receive this accolade. The EQC is a powerful first step towards our vision of a sustainable, carbon-neutral future, and we sincerely appreciate the recognition.”

Looking forward, he said 2021 promises to be an exciting year.

“The all-new S-Class arrives on New Zealand shores early in the year, followed by a number of exciting models including the EQA pure electric compact SUV, and the all-new C-Class,” he said.

“The further diversification and expansion of our EQ range in 2021 will help us to continue to provide an enticing mix of luxury, performance, technology and social responsibility, and we hope to finish another year as New Zealand’s favourite luxury car brand.”