From today the Federal Government has dropped the tariff import duty on cars by 5 per cent. Audi has joined other manufacturers in passing on this saving direct to the consumer. That means the A5 Sportback you see above, which is due in Australia early this year, is already discounted. Well, kind of.

While many manufacturers have chosen to pass on the saving to the bottom line, Mercedes-Benz will be keeping their 2009 prices, but offering more options as standard kit to help sweeten the deal.

Managing Director of Mercedes-Benz Australia, Mr Horst von Sanden says that’s what Benz buyers want, “Our customers have told us that they prefer increases in equipment levels over any short-term price reductions or resale-damaging discounting.”