Mercedes-Benz UK, embroiled in arguments with its dealer network and accused of hiking the prices of right-hand drive models sold to British buyers in Europe, nonetheless sold more cars in Britain in the first 10 weeks of this year than in any of the first 10 years of its UK operation.

Britain is the third largest market in the world for Mercedes-Benz after Germany and the USA, and the company claims that sales for the first quarter of this year will set a new record.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Premium Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

View all

In the first 10 weeks of this year more than 15,000 new cars were sold and sales have now passed 20,000, around 12 percent ahead of last year.


UK vehicle distributors and their dealers face losing the European Union ‘block exemption’, which permits exclusive dealer-distributor franchise agreements, within the next few years.


Mercedes-Benz UK, apparently anticipating this, has given all its dealers 12 months’ notice of termination and plans to set up wholly-owned ‘Experience Centres’ at strategic locations throughout the country.


These will be supported by smaller sales and service centres but very few are likely to be existing Mercedes outlets. A dealer group is understood to be mounting a legal challenge to the plan.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

Mercedes-Benz UK has also been accused by consumer groups of being behind a head office decision to hike the prices of right-hand drive cars supplied by European continent M-B dealers to British buyers trying to avoid paying higher UK retail prices.






To view related research reports, please follow the links below:-


A Profile Of The UK Motor Industry

Automotive retailing in the new millennium