AMG stands for: Australian Market Growth

Australia is proving to be one of the biggest markets for Mercedes-Benz's high performance cars -- despite some of the strictest speed enforcement in the world.

Since the arrival two years ago of the 'bahn-storming C63 AMG -- a 6.2-litre V8 in a sedan smaller than a Toyota Camry -- at $140,000, about $20,000 less than its predecessor, sales have taken off.

Australia is now fourth in overall AMG sales in the Mercedes-Benz world, behind Japan, Germany and the USA. But as a percentage of total Mercedes-Benz sales in each country, Australia tops the lot.

More than 1000 Mercedes-Benz C63s have been sold over the past two years -- 1003 to be exact, including 32 wagons -- and the company expects the 2010 tally to eclipse 600 by the end of this year.

"This year alone we're on target to sell in excess of 600 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMGs, which would outsell all its competition combined, according to the figures we have," says Mercedes-Benz spokesman David McCarthy.

"One of the reasons we're able to get the level of support for AMG that we do is because of the high percentage of AMG cars we sell relative to the rest of the range."

The more expensive E63 AMG, which offers a more powerful version of the 6.2-litre V8 in a Holden Commodore-sized sedan, is also selling well.

Despite its $220,000 price tag, more than 100 new generation E63s have been sold so far this year alone, and another 100 are expected to be delivered by the end of 2010.

When asked for a possible explanation for the boom in the popularity of AMG cars, McCarthy said: "Australians love rear drive V8s. Indeed some customers have come up through the top end of the Australian muscle car ranks (HSV and FPV). One customer had a HSV W427 [the $155,000 7.0-litre supercar] on order, but cancelled his order and bought a C63 and pocketed some change."

McCarthy said another explanation for the unusually high popularity of AMG cars in such a strictly-controlled speed environment was the access to AMG track days (C 63 pictured at Bathurst in 2008).

"When you buy a new AMG you automatically get access to a choice of AMG drive days around the country. It's a chance to learn more about the car but also use it to its potential in a safe environment."

Meanwhile, only a couple of the 63 special Edition C63s remain in stock. Released late last year they came with 19-inch alloy wheels, a limited slip-differential, leather-top dashboard and centre console and special badging.

That special edition was also the sales debut in Australia for Mercedes-Benz's matte paint finish known as "Magno" paint.

"When we did the Edition 63 the initial discussion was that we would do five in the Magno [matte] paint," says McCarthy. "In the end, of the 63 special editions, we did 12 in matte paint, and they were the first to go. We probably should have done 15."

Magno paint is currently available in white, black and grey. Mercedes is considering making it available on other models.

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