In Malaysia's Distorted Auto Market, Hope Springs Eternal

In this 2013 interview, Roland Folger, the CEO & President of Mercedes Benz Malaysia, discusses the following questions: 

- MB - fell to No.2 in Malaysia in passenger car sales last year 

- Competition - BMW - passenger car leadership - what happened

- BMW’s win was reportedly attributed to two things: a dealership expansion and the introduction of new variants, such as the luxury hybrid segment and luxury coupe segments .. 

Was MB slow to respond? 

- Global trend: Mercedes Benz came in third in global luxury car sales behind Audi and BMW last year, with Bloomberg reporting that the gap between Mercedes and second-placed Audi had doubled in the past 12 months.

How does Mercedes plan maintain or increase its sales in Malaysia to keep up with the competition, especially with the likes of Volkswagen increasing its sales?

- To what extent is price a contributing factor -- Mercedes has always sold at a premium to both BMWs and Audis.

- To what extent therefore is 2013 the year of recovering the No. 1 mantle? Strategy??

- Recent (June) launch of the highly-anticipated third-generation Mercedes A-Class in M’sia - update - issues

- Weakening macro conditions 

- 1H sales decline due uncertainties - down a reported 4% from a year earlier - indicates a diminished chance of outperforming 2012 

- Govt remarks: ‘cheaper prices’ - impact on premium segment 

- Tighter lending environment - Household debt issues - - whether impact 

- Rates outlook 

- Demand outlook 

- Leasing program - operational performance 

- Sales targets - passenger / Fuso- Fuso .. standout performer - issues 

- National Automotive Policy - consultation - direction - issues 

- AP abolishment - issues