The luxury brand exporting ten times more cars than it sells in South Africa

Mercedes-Benz in South Africa has geared its operations to favour the export market over local sales, as can be seen by the brand’s monthly sales performance.

Discounting the 78 commercial vehicles it sold last month, Mercedes only managed to sell 459 models locally in February, compared to the 5,000 units it shipped overseas.

Mercedes-Benz South Africa told TopAuto that its local presence serves as a strategic manufacturing hub within Mercedes-Benz’s global production network.

As a result, its East London operations are primarily geared towards serving international markets.

This strategic focus drives our high export volume, with approximately 90% of cars manufactured here, in both right- and left-hand drive, exported to over 80 markets worldwide,” Mercedes-Benz explained.

The manufacturer could not disclose specific product performance or export destinations to TopAuto, citing “competitive reasons”

“This export-oriented model, supported by programs like the Automotive Production and Development Programme (APDP), significantly contributes to the South African economy,” it added.

It is worth noting that other major car brands – particularly German ones – also export more models every month than they sell locally.

Last month, BMW sold 1,237 units locally and exported 5,600 according to the Automotive Business Council (Naamsa), while VW sold 4,850 units in South Africa and shipped 8,777 overseas.

Despite Mercedes focusing its production on the export market, the German auto giant reiterated its deep commitment to the local market.

“We have also realigned strategic models currently available, such as the C-Class and GLC,” said Mercedes.

“The latter model is now available in GLC 200 4MATIC guise. This creates a new entry point for customers into the premium SUV segment.”

Beyond these models, Mercedes-Benz also plans to introduce a host of new vehicles in the South African market over the coming months, including one highly anticipated model.

“The all-new CLA, a European Car of the Year winner, is a definite highlight,” it declared.

An exciting local newcomer

On sale in Europe since mid-2025 and now confirmed to be arriving in South Africa soon, the all-new Mercedes-Benz CLA was crowned as Europe’s Car of the Year at the Brussels Motor Show in Belgium.

The luxury sedan is offered as either a fully-electric or a hybrid-electric, with three models in the hybrid line-up.

The fully electric CLA 250+ boasts an impressive WLTP range of 792km, thanks to its 85kWh and frugal combined energy consumption, which ranges between 14.1 and 12.2kWh/100km.

Its rear-mounted electric motor produces 200kW and 335Nm, allowing the sedan to reach 100km/h in 6.7 seconds from standstill, and reach a top speed of 210km/h.

Refilling the electric CLA’s battery from 10% to 80% takes 22 minutes, thanks to 320kW DC charging, while 10 minutes of charging is good for up to 325km of range.

The hybrid models – CLA 180, CLA 200, and CLA 220 4-Matic – are fitted with a turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol motor married to an electric motor and an electrified eight-speed dual-clutch transmission.

The CLA 180 boasts a combined 122kW and 200Nm, which increases to 142kW and 250Nm in the CLA 200, and 162kW and 300Nm in the CLA 220 4-Matic.

This allows the front-wheel drive models to reach 100km/h in eight or nine seconds, and a top speed of 217 and 230km/h, respectively, while the four-wheel drive CLA 220 can do so in seven seconds, reaching nearly 240km/h.

Across the entire line-up, both electric and hybrid, the all-new CLA has been fitted with an illuminated Mercedes star grille to give it a distinct look.

On the interior, several upholstery and trim lines are available to choose from, while all models feature the MBUX AI virtual assistant and the superscreen that comes along with it.

Pricing across the line-up will only be announced closer to the official launch date.