Bathurst 12 Hour to boost interest in Mercedes-AMG
BY SPENCER LEECH | 24th Jan 2019
MERCEDES-AMG will have a big presence at next week’s Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour at the Mount Panorama racing circuit in a bid to generate new interest in the sportscar brand.
The brand’s local wing confirmed that AMG-badged vehicles took up 20 per cent of overall Mercedes vehicle sales last year, which translates to roughly 6440 units, down from 2017’s 7420 figure.
The slowing sales was attributed to the absence of AMG’s top-selling C63 model, which is earmarked for a local launch during the Bathurst 12 Hour race.
This year will also see the arrival of the all-new A35 hot hatch, as well as the updated CLS 53 mild hybrid and GT 4-door coupe.
To garner customer interest in Mercedes-AMG, the brand will field six GT3 cars at next week’s Bathurst 12 Hour event, piloted by a number of high-profile drivers including V8 Supercars icons Jamie Whincup, Shane van Gisbergen and Craig Lowndes.
Last year’s race meeting saw more than 40,000 spectators, and that number is expected to climb in 2019, so Mercedes hopes to use the opportunity to attract new customers.
“The Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour has proven itself to be a fantastic way for Mercedes-AMG to connect with its customers and race fans,” said Mercedes-Benz Australia/Pacific manager of media relations and production communications Ryan Lewis.
“It’s one of the most anticipated events on the calendar for existing customers, and success at Mount Panorama undoubtedly brings new interest to the brand, both here and overseas.”
The endurance race will also use Mercedes-AMG C43 Course Cars as well as an E63 S 4Matic+ Safety Car, the latter of which will wear ANCAP branding on its livery to draw attention to the Mercedes-Benz A-Class that received the highest overall safety assessment in 2018.
Meanwhile, the new Mercedes-AMG GT4 track car, which can now be purchased by select customers, will make its public debut in Harris Park – the Mount Panorama trackside retail precinct.
Mercedes will display the low-slung racer in its ‘AMG Boutique’ pop-up shop, where it will also sell a range of officially licensed merchandise.
“After last year’s response to the AMG Boutique in Harris Park we expect our range of merchandise to resonate once again with fans of Mercedes-AMG and the Bathurst 12 Hour generally,” said Mr Lewis. “We will be offering a wide range of apparel from hats to jackets.”
Mercedes-AMG will also host 200 customers at its rooftop lounge at the Hotel Rydges Mount Panorama, which overlooks the infamous Chase bend in the final sector of the circuit.
