Benz sells out

Buyers of key Mercedes-Benz models will need to be patient. That’s the take out from news that the German brand’s new generation of compact models are all but sold out – some until late 2015.

Mercedes-Benz Australia (MBAu) boss Horst von Sanden told motoring.com.au today that he had this week signed 500 letters of apology to buyers of CLA and A 45 AMG models as the waiting period for the hotshoe all-wheel drive turbo models ballooned to Q4 of 2015.

And that’s not the only small Mercedes in short supply. Currently buyers are waiting up to four months for delivery on certain non-AMG A and CLA models.

To help combat wait times on the CLA 250, MBAu took the decision to upgrade the local offering to the 4MATIC version. Early purchasers of the car were upgraded to the all-wheel drive variant at front-drive pricing.

Mercedes-Benz has broken its own sales records repeatedly in recent times. A widening of the range of models it offers has been part of the growth strategy, but even ‘mainstream’ models have been selling at record volumes.

The new GLA crossover launched today in 200 CDI front drive form, looks set to continue the trend.

von Sanden told motoring.com.au MBAu would receive less than 1000 GLAs in the remainder of the 2014 calendar year. That number includes 250 4MATIC and 45 AMG variants due to arrive later in 2014.

Worldwide demand for Mercedes-Benz’ MFA platformed compact cars has outstripped supply almost since launch. Already in the first three months of 2014, MBAu has delivered in excess of 2200 examples of the compact family of models.

MBAu expects total compact family sales to top 10,000 units this year.

Look out for our drive impression of the new Mercedes-Benz GLA 200 CDI tonight.