In financial news, the Mercedes Car Group is reporting that for the month of January, worldwide sales of the Mercedes-Benz, Maybach and smart brands have increased seven percent to 77,700 units.  The growth was fueled solely by the Mercedes-Benz brand, with the luxury automaker noting a 13.9 percent increase in January's worldwide sales figures to 73,500 units.

As for what attributed to MB's tremendous success, sales of the S-Class and E-Class were particularly strong in January, with the latter noting sales of 15,600 units - an increase of 13.6 percent over 2006. The Mercedes-Benz SUV lineup has also continued to post strong sales numbers, with sales of the M-, R-, GL- and G-Class totaling 12,400 new units last month - an increase over January 2006 of 33 percent.

To learn more about the Mercedes Car Group's worldwide sales statistics for the month of January as well as how sales fared in each of the main global markets, keep reading for the official press release.

Enjoy.



OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE


Mercedes Car Group starts the new year with a seven percent increase in sales

• Sales of Mercedes Car Group passenger vehicles increase to 77,700 units in January
  
  
• Deliveries of 73,500 Mercedes-Benz passenger vehicles – up 14 percent from January 2006
  
  
• Very positive media response to the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  
  

Stuttgart, Feb 06, 2007
The Mercedes Car Group started the year 2007 with a seven percent increase in unit sales to 77,700 passenger vehicles (January 2006: 72,700). Worldwide deliveries of Mercedes-Benz brand passenger vehicles rose 14 percent in January to 73,500 units (January 2006: 64,500).

The Mercedes-Benz S- and E-Class recorded particularly strong sales growth around the world, as well as the SUV family consisting of the M-, R-, GL- and G-Class. Sales of S-Class vehicles were up significantly in January, enabling the flagship of the Mercedes-Benz brand to expand its leading world-market position in the luxury segment. Overall sales of Mercedes-Benz brand vehicles in the luxury segment rose 43 percent in January to 8,500 units. A total of 15,600 E-Class models were delivered to customers around the world in January, an increase of 13 percent from January 2006. Mercedes-Benz set a new record in the SUV segment by selling 12,400 units last month (up 33 percent). Despite increasing competition, Mercedes-Benz remains the best-selling premium brand in the SUV segment in Germany and Western Europe.

Mercedes-Benz also continues its strong growth path in the U.S. After recording its 13th consecutive sales record in the U.S. in 2006, the brand was able to increase sales in the first month of 2007 by 37 percent to the record level of 17,100 units. Growth in the U.S. is being driven by record sales for the S-Class and for the SUV models. Sales of Mercedes-Benz brand vehicles in the Asia/Pacific region increased by 13 percent in January to the record level of 9,800 units. This development was largely due to a strong sales increase in China, including Hong Kong (up 64 percent to 2,700 passenger vehicles). Delivery volume for Mercedes-Benz in Western Europe was up seven percent in January to 38,600 passenger cars.

Mercedes-Benz also expects the new C-Class sedan to generate additional sales momentum this year. The vehicle met with a very positive response from the media at its world premiere in Stuttgart on January 18, 2007. The new C-Class is setting standards in the compact-premium segment by offering outstanding safety and comfort features, extraordinary agility, and product lines that have a visibly different appearance. Deliveries of the new C-Class will begin at the end of March in Europe and in August in the U.S.

The smart brand delivered 4,200 vehicles to customers around the world in January 2007. This result was in line with the sales target in the run-up to the model changeover scheduled for April. The new smart fortwo met with an outstanding response from customers immediately after it was released for sale on January 15, 2007.

Overview of Mercedes Car Group Sales