In the luxury car segment Mercedes-Benz has been the traditional top selling
marque however it lost this position for the first-time last year - BMW posting
annual sales of 26,184 to Mercedes-Benz’s 24,315. BMW has maintained its lead
this year with sales rising 8.5 percent in the first four months while Mercedes-
Benz has suffered a 29 percent decline. In the four months BMW made 7135 sales
to Mercedes Benz 5,540. Clearly, Mercedes-Benz move to an Agency model from
January 2022 where there is no discount available, with the company selling
directly to the customer at a fixed price has not been a success. The move has
also impacted dealer profitability and there is considerable unrest within the
Mercedes-Benz dealer group. In recent weeks some dealers now openly
advertising considerable end of financial year discounts on certain models to
stimulate business. I’m David Berthon

In the luxury car segment Mercedes-Benz has been the traditional top selling marque however it lost this position for the first-time last year - BMW posting annual sales of 26,184 to Mercedes-Benz’s 24,315. BMW has maintained its lead this year with sales rising 8.5 percent in the first four months while Mercedes- Benz has suffered a 29 percent decline. In the four months BMW made 7135 sales to Mercedes Benz 5,540. Clearly, Mercedes-Benz move to an Agency model from January 2022 where there is no discount available, with the company selling directly to the customer at a fixed price has not been a success. The move has also impacted dealer profitability and there is considerable unrest within the Mercedes-Benz dealer group. In recent weeks some dealers now openly advertising considerable end of financial year discounts on certain models to stimulate business. I’m David Berthon

A weekly show with all the latest information and news in the motoring industry. Hosted by 2GB's very own motoring corespondent David Berthon. 

For more engaging content visit the 2GB website, or listen live to 2GB 873.

A weekly show with all the latest information and news in the motoring industry. Hosted by 2GB's very own motoring corespondent David Berthon.&nbsp;
For more engaging content visit the 2GB website, or listen live to 2GB 873.

Motor Torque with David Berthon

A weekly show with all the latest information and news in the motoring industry. Hosted by 2GB's very own motoring corespondent David Berthon. 

For more engaging content visit the 2GB website, or listen live to 2GB 873 

A weekly show with all the latest information and news in the motoring industry. Hosted by 2GB's very own motoring corespondent David Berthon.&nbsp;
For more engaging content visit the 2GB website, or listen live to 2GB 873&nbsp;

Mercedes Benz continues to lose sales volume to arch rival BMW

Behind the wheel of Lexus’ new compact and very attractive LBX SUV today – I
drove the LBX Sports Luxury all-wheel drive at $56,990 combining a 1.5-litre
three-cylinder petrol engine paired with dual electric motors with a combined
output of 100kW driving through a continuously variable transmission. The all-
wheel-drive combination knocks the weight up to 1415kgs. A classy small SUV
which Lexus Australia Chief John Pappas says, breaks new ground for Lexus and
is proof luxury is not dictated by vehicle size. It is however tight in the rear, best
viewed as a personalised compact luxury two-seater. It’s no fire breather in this
heavier all-wheel drive Sports Luxury variant however with parent company
Toyota’s enormous success with hybrid technology it offers a very satisfying and
practical hybrid performance with frugal economy – I managed a best of 4.6L/100
with 91 grade petrol in mainly city driving. Few gripes, I don’t like Lexus interior
door latches, their awkward at best and should be on a horizontal plane rather
than vertical and there’s no aircon vents in the rear. But the Lexus LBX really is a
classy compact SUV with five-year/unlimited km warranty, battery warranty up to
10 years with annual hybrid dealer checks. I’m David Berthon

Behind the wheel of Lexus’ new compact and very attractive LBX SUV today – I drove the LBX Sports Luxury all-wheel drive at $56,990 combining a 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine paired with dual electric motors with a combined output of 100kW driving through a continuously variable transmission. The all- wheel-drive combination knocks the weight up to 1415kgs. A classy small SUV which Lexus Australia Chief John Pappas says, breaks new ground for Lexus and is proof luxury is not dictated by vehicle size. It is however tight in the rear, best viewed as a personalised compact luxury two-seater. It’s no fire breather in this heavier all-wheel drive Sports Luxury variant however with parent company Toyota’s enormous success with hybrid technology it offers a very satisfying and practical hybrid performance with frugal economy – I managed a best of 4.6L/100 with 91 grade petrol in mainly city driving. Few gripes, I don’t like Lexus interior door latches, their awkward at best and should be on a horizontal plane rather than vertical and there’s no aircon vents in the rear. But the Lexus LBX really is a classy compact SUV with five-year/unlimited km warranty, battery warranty up to 10 years with annual hybrid dealer checks. I’m David Berthon

Lexus LBX Sports Luxury AWD - Compact luxury SUV with hybrid technology

Driving the small Lexus LBX SUV today, an attractive small hybrid luxury five
door SUV – three variants, the LBX Luxury front wheel drive at $47,550 and the
LBX Sports Luxury, both front and all-wheel-drive, priced at $52,990 and $56,990
respectively. The Lexus LBX a compact luxury cross-over SUV, a personalized
compact SUV that’s rather tight in the rear, but with emphasis on luxury and
finishes that Toyota’s luxury brand always does well and it stands out on the road
especially in the sonic copper colour as per the TV commercial. I drove the
Sports Luxury AWD with 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine paired with dual
electric motors, a fuel sipping assembly with a combined output of 100kW driving
through a CVT transmission. The interior with pseudo leather and suede
accentuated trim looks classy, the dash with a well-designed and functional
touch screen. Nice front seat comfort with roomy, comfortable eight-way power
seats not so in the rear which is best for kids. The Lexus LBX best perhaps as a
classy compact luxury SUV for the lady in the house. No spare wheel just a tyre
repair kit but it’s got all the active and passive safety gear and a 360-degree
camera. Drive details next. I’m David Berthon

Driving the small Lexus LBX SUV today, an attractive small hybrid luxury five door SUV – three variants, the LBX Luxury front wheel drive at $47,550 and the LBX Sports Luxury, both front and all-wheel-drive, priced at $52,990 and $56,990 respectively. The Lexus LBX a compact luxury cross-over SUV, a personalized compact SUV that’s rather tight in the rear, but with emphasis on luxury and finishes that Toyota’s luxury brand always does well and it stands out on the road especially in the sonic copper colour as per the TV commercial. I drove the Sports Luxury AWD with 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine paired with dual electric motors, a fuel sipping assembly with a combined output of 100kW driving through a CVT transmission. The interior with pseudo leather and suede accentuated trim looks classy, the dash with a well-designed and functional touch screen. Nice front seat comfort with roomy, comfortable eight-way power seats not so in the rear which is best for kids. The Lexus LBX best perhaps as a classy compact luxury SUV for the lady in the house. No spare wheel just a tyre repair kit but it’s got all the active and passive safety gear and a 360-degree camera. Drive details next. I’m David Berthon

Lexus LBX Sports Luxury AWD - Compact and classy SUV with great finishes

Hyundai’s Tucson is one of our most popular mid-size SUV’s and a facelifted
model has just arrived bringing with it the option of hybrid power for the first
time, a revised interior and larger 12.3-inch dual infotainment screens integrated
into one large, curved panel. The introduction of new styling and technology will
however see price increases in the seventeen model 2025 model year range of up
to $3,950. The entry 2.0-litre petrol front-wheel drive now starting at $39,100 while
the 1.6-litre turbo Tuscon Premium N-line all-wheel drive Hybrid tops out the
range at $61,100. The updated Hyundai Tucson SUV drops the 2.0-litre diesel
engine option, replaced by a 1.6-liltre turbo-petrol hybrid available in front and all-
wheel drive variants. The top of the range Tucson’s, now called Premium instead
of Highlander, also gain a welcome head up instrument display. I’m David
Berthon

Hyundai’s Tucson is one of our most popular mid-size SUV’s and a facelifted model has just arrived bringing with it the option of hybrid power for the first time, a revised interior and larger 12.3-inch dual infotainment screens integrated into one large, curved panel. The introduction of new styling and technology will however see price increases in the seventeen model 2025 model year range of up to $3,950. The entry 2.0-litre petrol front-wheel drive now starting at $39,100 while the 1.6-litre turbo Tuscon Premium N-line all-wheel drive Hybrid tops out the range at $61,100. The updated Hyundai Tucson SUV drops the 2.0-litre diesel engine option, replaced by a 1.6-liltre turbo-petrol hybrid available in front and all- wheel drive variants. The top of the range Tucson’s, now called Premium instead of Highlander, also gain a welcome head up instrument display. I’m David Berthon

Mercedes Benz continues to lose sales volume to arch rival BMW

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