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Sales of Mercedes-Benz passenger cars continue to rise. In August, the brand’s sales were up 7.9 percent compared to the high volume achieved in the same month last year. The brand delivered a total of 87,384 vehicles (August 2010: 81,010) to customers worldwide. Since the beginning of the year, Mercedes-Benz has delivered 798,306 units (January-August 2010: 735,428), representing an increase of 8.5 percent and the highest sales figure ever attained in this eight months period.
Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing, Mercedes-Benz Cars: “Our sales continued to develop very well in August. Germany, as our largest market, was an important growth driver, as well as many other markets in which we increased our sales considerably. All in all, we expect strong sales in the second half of the year and want to grow compared to last year. Record sales over the past eight months have created a very good basis for us to meet our full-year target of selling over 1.35 million Mercedes-Benz cars and smart fortwo- that’s more than ever before.”
New products such as the M-Class and B-Class will generate additional momentum in the coming months. The new M-Class will be introduced to Europe in November, while sales of the new B-Class will start on September 15. “One of the many highlights we’ll present at the IAA will be the world premiere of the new B-Class,” adds Dr. Schmidt. “Together with three other models of our upcoming premium compact car generation, it will set new standards in this segment allowing us to capture new customers and markets.”
Mercedes-Benz grew rapidly in many markets in August. In Germany, the brand increased deliveries by more than one-fifth. Sales increased by a total of 23.2 percent to 19,412 units (August 2010: 15,754). Mercedes-Benz thus remained the strongest premium brand in Germany. The SLK and the E-Class coupe were the leading vehicles in their class. The new generation C-Class achieved the highest sales volume among the premium competitors in the mid-size segment. Since January, deliveries totaled 165,523 units (January–August 2010: 161,768), 2.3 percent more than in the same period of 2010. In Western Europe, Mercedes-Benz surpassed last year’s August figure by 13.8 percent (32,940 units; August 2010: 28,951). Besides Germany, sales were up in the UK (plus 3.4 percent), France (plus 16.6 percent), the Netherlands (plus 10.1 percent), and Sweden (plus 31.0 percent).
Mercedes-Benz has boosted sales in China (incl. Hong Kong) by 35.8 percent since the start of the year, expanding at a much faster pace than the total market. Deliveries rose to the record level of 120,234 units (January–August 2010: 88,509). A new record was also posted in August with 13,812 vehicles (August 2010: 13,382) being sold. Sales thus increased by 3.2 percent compared to the high volume achieved in August 2010. The company expects sales to get a further boost in the coming months due to the greater availability of single model ranges, the ramp-up of local production for the new generation C-Class as well as the market launch of new products such as the new SLK, the C-Class coupe and the CLS.
Record sales and remarkable growth in August and during the year to date were also achieved in Taiwan (August: plus 6.7 percent, January-August: plus 40.1 percent), South Korea (August: plus 10.1 percent, January-August: plus 16.1 percent), Russia (August: plus 52.8 percent, January-August: plus 62,3 percent) and India (August: plus 20.0 percent, January-August: plus 31.1 percent). Deliveries also rose sharply in Brazil in August (plus 40.3 percent) and for the year to date (plus 38.4 percent). In South Africa, last month was also a very strong one (plus 40.0 percent).
In the U.S., sales of Mercedes-Benz vehicles increased by 6.1 percent since January (148,409 units; January–August 2010: 139,867). Due to model year changeovers particularly among the high volume C-Class, sales totaled 18,477 units in August (August 2010: 18,826), nearly reaching last year’s level. Beginning in September, the company expects further positive impact from the market launch of the new M-Class and the new-generation C-Class.
In August, in particular the SUVs saw sales pick up and reach new records. The M-Class continued to be in great demand even shortly before the introduction of its successor, with sales rising by 8.1 percent in August and 13.6 percent since the beginning of the year. Sales of the other SUV models also increased substantially, with those of the GLK reaching a new record. The brand sold a total of 16,852 SUVs in August (plus 16.2 percent); since January, sales have risen by 28.4 percent.
Last month, the new C-Class sedan was the top-selling vehicle in its class for the fifth month in a row. Sales in the C-Class segment rose by 9.7 percent in total. The new SLK continued to increase deliveries as well (plus 144.6 percent), ensuring its position as the best-selling vehicle in its segment. The S-Class was the world’s best-selling luxury sedan during the year to date. Since the beginning of the year, sales have increased by 11.4 percent to 45,703 units. In the E-Class segment, 5.6 percent more vehicles have been chosen by customers from January to August (221.682 units). The E-Class convertible did especially well, with sales jumping by 50.2 percent. Last month, very high growth rates were again posted by the A-Class, sales of which climbed 66.3 percent to 8,774 vehicles. The B-Class continued to perform well in the year in which its successor will be introduced, with sales rising by 7.6 percent during the year to date (73,046 units) compared to the same period in 2010.
The presentation of the third generation smart fortwo electric drive will be another highlight at the IAA. It is available beginning in spring 2012 in more than 30 markets and provides zero-emission motoring with even more driving fun. The current generation of the smart fortwo continued to develop positively in August. At 5,778 units, deliveries of the two-seater were above last year’s level (August 2010: 5,748). Deliveries rose by 6.6 percent since the beginning of the year (January–August 2011: 69,073 units; January–August 2010: 64,819). In Europe, smart sales developed especially well in Germany and France. In the vehicle’s home market, sales increased by 13.0 percent to 20,286 units since the beginning of the year. As a result, the smart is the best-selling vehicle in its segment during the year to date. In France, it attracted 7.1 percent more customers during the same period. In China, the innovative two-seater continues to post record results, selling nearly four times as many vehicles in the year to date than in the period from January to August 2010. In August, sales jumped another 141.5 percent.
Overview of sales by Mercedes-Benz Cars
Source: Daimler AG
Copyright © 2011, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.
OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
• Dr. Joachim Schmidt: “Our sales figures in April marked a successful start into the second quarter and increased significantly in many markets. China, where we set a new sales record in April, continues to play an important role in driving our growth.”
• “We are optimistic about the second quarter and want to boost sales above last year’s level. In the full year, we aim to achieve a new sales record and want to sell more than 1.3 million Mercedes-Benz passenger cars and smart fortwo.”
• New generation of the C-Class sedan becomes market leader right from the start, sales of new SLK increase by 47.7 percent
• S-Class sedan number one in its segment with sales up by 34.3 percent
smart sales again above previous year’s level
Stuttgart, Germany, May 04, 2011 - Following strong sales results in the first quarter, Mercedes-Benz continued to be successful in April. Sales rose by 8.2 percent compared to the high volume recorded in the same month last year. The brand delivered a total of 100,703 passenger cars worldwide (April 2010: 93,077). Since the start of the year, sales have risen by 11.5 percent to 381,255 units (Jan. – April 2010: 342,035).
Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing Mercedes-Benz Cars: “Our sales figures in April marked a successful start into the second quarter and increased significantly in many markets. China, where we set a new sales record in April, continues to play an important role in driving our growth. We continue to be optimistic about the second quarter, during which we want to boost sales above last year’s level.”
Growth in the second quarter will be based on the success of the current product range and particularly on new products such as the facelifted C-Class and the new SLK. Demand for both models was already very high in the first month after the market launch. 20.965 units of the C-Class sedan were delivered, capturing the market leadership in its segment right from the start.
Including the new estate, sales in April rose 14.3 percent compared to April 2010. In the first month following its market launch, sales of the new SLK also climbed sharply, starting the convertible season with an increase of 47.7 percent. The new C-Class coupe is waiting in the starting blocks to continue the success of the new C-Class generation. It will be in dealers’ showrooms beginning in June. Mercedes-Benz will introduce additional new models to the market later this year: the new M-Class and the SLS roadster, which will hit showrooms this fall, and the new B-Class, which will be launched at the end of the year.
“This attractive product lineup gives us a very good competitive position,” added Schmidt. “In the full year, we aim to achieve a new sales record and want to sell more than 1.3 million Mercedes-Benz passenger cars and smart fortwo.”
In April, sales of Mercedes-Benz in China (including Hong Kong) rose by 46.9 percent compared to the high volume recorded in the same month last year. As a result, the brand achieved a new record result of 16,536 units (April 2010: 11,254). During the first four months of the year, sales jumped by 68.2 percent to 59,526 passenger cars (Jan. – April 2010: 35,381). In April, sales also rose substantially in South Korea (plus 56.6 percent) and Taiwan (plus 19.7 percent).
In India (plus 61.3 percent) and Russia (plus 59.5 percent) Mercedes-Benz achieved a new record.
A total of 18,042 units (April 2010: 17,628) were sold in the U.S. last month, an increase of 2.3 percent on the result posted in April 2010. Since January, deliveries totaled 71,388 units (Jan. – April 2010: 66,857), an increase of 6.8 percent on the same period last year.
In Germany, demand rose 3.3 percent in April to 22,270 units (April 2010: 21,551). Mercedes-Benz thus remained the strongest premium brand in its home market. Sales were also above last year’s level for the first four months, totaling 71,588 units (Jan. – April 2010: 70,796). In Western Europe, Mercedes-Benz grew by 2.2 percent overall, delivering 46,817 cars to customers (April 2010: 45,801). Growth rates were recorded, for example, in France (plus 8.9 percent), Spain (plus 4.4 percent), Belgium (plus 11.6 percent), and Sweden (plus 19.6 percent).
In the luxury class, the S-Class sedan once again set the benchmark for its segment in April. At 6,305 units, sales were up by 34.3 percent, making it the number one car in its competitive class. Mercedes-Benz also continues to grow in the E-Class segment, with customer deliveries rising by 8.1 percent to 28,708 vehicles. The new E-Class convertible was particularly popular last month (plus 84.7 percent) and remained the market leader. The new CLS which is available since January has also been on track for success, with sales rising by 70.4 percent compared to April 2010. Demand also continued to be dynamic for all Mercedes-Benz SUVs, with sales increasing to the record figure of 19.640 units (plus 21.4 percent). One of the reasons for this success were strong growth rates for the GLK (plus 62.1 percent). In the compact car segment the B-Class continued to increase sales in April (plus 26.2 percent).
Sales of the smart fortwo continued to develop positively in April and totaled 9,341 units last month, representing a 3.2 percent increase on the previous year (April 2010: 9,053). During the year to date, sales of the two-seater have risen by 7.9 percent to 34,322 vehicles (Jan. – April 2010: 31,806). Demand for the smart continues to be strong in China (including Hong Kong), where sales rose almost five-fold in April, to 1,026 units (April 2010: 210). In Germany, the two-seater was at the top of its segment in April for the 14th consecutive month.
Overview of sales by Mercedes-Benz Cars
Copyright © 2011, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.
OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
• Mercedes-Benz USA Records April Sales of 19,157 Vehicles – an Improvement of 5.1 Percent over April 2010 and a 9.2 Percent Increase on a Year-to-Date Basis
• smart USA Records 467 Sales in April 2011
New York (NY), USA, May 03, 2011 – Daimler AG (stock exchange symbol DAI) today reported U.S. sales of 19,624 Mercedes-Benz and smart vehicles, an improvement of 3.8 Percent compared to April 2010. All sales figures in this release are on an unadjusted basis unless otherwise noted.
Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) reported April 2011 sales of 19,157 passenger cars and light truck vehicles and represents a 5.1 % improvement over April 2010, and the best April on record since April 2008. 1,115 Sprinter vans are included in this total. On a year-to-date basis, the 75,152 vehicles sold represent a 9.2% increase.
The highest volume performers for the month were the E- and C-Class model lines. The 9th generation E-Class led the pack with sales of 5,342, up 17.9% over April 2010. The sporty C-Class - the gateway to the Mercedes-Benz brand for younger and first-time Mercedes-Benz buyers –continued its strong momentum with sales of 5,232, up 13.1% over last year. MBUSA’s versatile SUV, the M-Class, finished third in volume with monthly sales of 1,990.
On the high end, the commanding G-Class was up 29.4% over April 2010, and the company sold 54 of its supercar -- the SLS AMG -- bringing its year-to-date sales to 309. Sales of Sprinter Vans increased by 85.8% for the month, with sales of 1,115 - bringing a year-to-date total of 3,764 (up 94.3%).
smart USA recorded 467 sales in April 2011. Total sales increased nearly 10 percent month-over-month from March 2011. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s 2011 Fuel Economy Guide, the smart fortwo continues to be the most fuel efficient, non-hybrid vehicle in the United States. As fuel prices continue to rise, consumers are attracted to the smart fortwo’s estimated 41 miles per gallon on the highway according to EPA regulations.
Copyright © 2011, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.
