HAGI MERCEDES-BENZ CLASSIC INDEX
SINCE PEAKING AT 206.55 at the end of September, the MBCI has dropped to 200.8, positioning the index at the end of January 2018 back where it was at the close of June 2017.
Most other HAGI indices also peaked around the third quarter of 2017 before dropping off. The difference here is that while all other sectors are ahead of their position back in June, the MBCI is not. That may be seen as a reaction to strong relative growth within the MBCI against a backdrop of overall reduced growth rates throughout the rest of the market going back several years.
There are two interlinked factors at play. The composition of the MBCI is broader than that of any other HAGI marque index, including lower-value and younger cars produced in higher volumes; this in part is as a result of the fact that Mercedes has a broader product portfolio than any other marque, with prestige sports cars, saloons and even limousines. Among its cars are a host of so-called ‘emerging classics’ and ‘youngtimers’ that have come on stream in the collectibles sphere.
These have made a significant contribution to the MBCI’s year-on-year growth of 9.63%, which compares with year-on-year growth of no more than 2.01% elsewhere – and indeed Porsche is down 3.07% over that period.
In simple terms: from a lower baseline price many of Mercedes’ younger, higher-production models have delivered impressive percentage growth that may be regarded as a little pacey, and it’s no surprise there’s been a check on that.
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