The 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL550 – image: Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz is serious about its intent to reclaim its previous number one position atop the luxury auto sales food chain. To catch its German rivals, Mercedes-Benz is borrowing a thing or two from BMW’s play book, and the net result may be good news for consumers.

If you lease new cars instead of buying them, Mercedes may let you skip up to five payments to help with your seasonal cash flow. Not every tri-pointed-star model is eligible, but the program beats a similar offer from BMW, which is allowing consumers to skip up to three payments.

If you’re one of the cool kids, Bloomberg (via Autoblog) explains that you may even be able to get in on Mercedes’ “VIP Customer” program, which is offered at the discretion of the dealership’s general manager. Typically, the program is offered to repeat customers, dealership business associates or dealership extended family members. What’s in it? Cash rebates up to $5,000 on select GL Class crossovers, though the more popular C Class vehicles only get a $750 rebate.

Mercedes dealerships have also been instructed to increase the number of house-brand courtesy vehicles, giving consumers the ability to buy lightly-used loaner cars at a significant discount. How much use they’re required to see before being flipped is the subject of some debate; earlier this year, critics accused BMW of selling virtually new inventory as dealer demos in order to pad sales numbers.

This much is clear: sales in Europe are down, and sales in China aren’t growing at the rate they once were. That leaves the United States as Mercedes’ best potential market, so consider that in your strategy if you’re in the market for a new luxury automobile.