How much the cost of a new Mercedes-Benz has increased in the last 4 years

Driving a shiny new Mercedes-Benz may soon become a distant dream for many but the most affluent.

The average price of a Mercedes reached some €72,900 (R1,382,598) last year — a 43% increase over 2019 levels.

That chimes with the carmaker’s push even further upmarket by focusing on top-end models like the S-Class sedan to bolster profits.

The company has been working through pent-up demand after chip shortages curbed production last year.

Mercedes is hiking the prices even of entry-level models like the A-Class hatchback.

Drivers are increasingly only be able to buy versions of the car with bells-and-whistle options as standard.

Mercedes isn’t alone. Around the world, manufacturers are reaping the benefits of selling fewer but more expensive cars.

In the US, average monthly payments for a new car nearly doubled from late 2019. And as battery-powered vehicles tend to cost more than the average combustion-engine car, the shift to EVs may make the affordability crisis even worse.