DaimlerChrysler is reporting today that in addition to the tremendous sales success of MBUSA last month, the Mercedes Car Group has noted equally impressive results, increasing sales 17% for the month of March.  In total, sales of the Mercedes, Maybach and smart brands increased to 138,400 units (compared to 118,000 in March of 2005), making it the best sales month of all time.

Through the first quarter of the year, the Mercedes Car Group has also noted a significant improvement, increasing sales 12% to a record figure of 295,000 units (compared to 262,900 in 2005).

As for what attributed to this month's success, it should come as little surprise that the growth of the Mercedes-Benz brand was the major factor in last month's sales figures.  Deliveries of the MB brand increased 21% to 125,400 units (compared to 103,400 in 2005), with particularly strong demand for the S-, R-, M- and B-Class models.  Also worth noting - as was the case in February, Mercedes again benefited from increased sales in all triad markets, noting a 17.9% increase in the U.S., a 16.4% increase in Western Europe, and a 23.1% increase in the Asia/Pacific region.

Unfortunately, sales of the smart brand didn't fare nearly as well. The mini-car brand noted an 11.3% decline in sales with 13,000 vehicles sold, and to date, the division trails 2005's first quarter figures by 20.7%.

For more info on any of the afore-mentioned material or to see a breakdown of sales worldwide, keep reading for the full press release.


OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE


Mercedes Car Group Sales up 17 percent in March

• Mercedes Car Group posts best sales month of all time in March, with sales of 138,400 units
  
  
• Mercedes-Benz records growth in all triad markets in March
  
  
• Record demand for S-Class sedan

Stuttgart, Apr 07, 2006
Sales of Mercedes Car Group vehicles rose in March 2006 by 17 percent to 138,400 units (March 2005: 118,000), making it the best sales month of all time. In the first quarter of 2006, worldwide deliveries of Mercedes Benz, Maybach, and smart brand cars rose by 12 percent to a record figure of 295,000 units (Q1 2005: 262,900).
In March, the Mercedes-Benz brand boosted customer deliveries by 21 percent to the record level of 125,400 units (March 2005: 103,400 units). Growth was particularly strong worldwide for the new B-, M-, R- and S-Class models. During the first three months of the year as a whole, Mercedes-Benz delivered 266,000 passenger cars to customers around the world, an increase of 18 percent on the figure posted during the first quarter of 2005 (226,400 vehicles).

As was the case in February, Mercedes-Benz increased sales in all triad markets in March. In the United States, sales of Mercedes cars rose by 18 percent to 21,400 units. And thanks to significantly increased sales in all major European markets, Mercedes-Benz boosted customer deliveries in Western Europe by 22 percent to 80,800 units. Growth was also very strong in the Asia/Pacific region, where sales of Mercedes-Benz cars climbed by 24 percent to 14,800 vehicles.

The February launch of the S-Class in the U.S., the car’s main sales market, enabled the vehicle to further expand its leading world-market position in the luxury segment, with total deliveries rising to the record level of 24,100 sedans during the first quarter.

Mercedes-Benz is also continuing to grow rapidly in the SUV segment. Worldwide deliveries of the M Class doubled to 25,000 units during the first quarter. After its introduction in Europe in mid-February the R Class also continues to do well.

Demand also continues to remain high for the two models manufactured at the DaimlerChrysler plant in Rastatt: While about 280,000 A Class vehicles have been delivered to customers since the vehicle’s market launch in fall 2004, a total of 87,000 customers have opted for the B Class since it was introduced in June 2005.

In March, sales at smart amounted to 13,000 vehicles. As a result, smart has delivered a total of 29,000 vehicles to customers from January through March.

Overview of Mercedes Car Group Sales