Mercedes-Benz Cars sold 503,500 units, an increase of 3% in Q1 of 2023, despite economic headwinds, supply chain disruptions, and geopolitical uncertainty. The sales growth was driven by the Top-End and Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) segments, which rose 18% and 89%, respectively. BEV sales accounted for 10% of the company’s overall sales, compared to 6% in the previous year, with almost every fifth vehicle sold being electric, including hybrids. Sales in the Top-End segment increased by 18%, with the G-Class, Mercedes-AMG, and Mercedes-Maybach posting strong sales figures.

In the Core segment, sales reached 248,400 units, a decrease of 11%, due to the model changeovers for the top-selling GLC and E-Class. The Entry segment grew by 27%, driven by the GLB and GLA. Europe saw sales rise significantly in Q1 to 163,900 units, an increase of 8%, with strong demand for Top-End vehicles and BEVs. In Asia, sales reached 247,700 units, an increase of 3%, with China being slightly above the prior-year level. BEV sales in China rose by 109%, driven by EQA, EQB, and EQE.

Mercedes-Benz’s CEO, Britta Seeger, credited the strong sales performance to customer demand for Top-End products and BEVs. She also highlighted the success of the company’s direct sales model in the UK and the upcoming world premiere of the first all-electric Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV.

Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 4MATIC+ (combined electrical consumption (provisional, WLTP): 23.2–20.3 kWh/100 km; combined CO2 emissions (WLTP): 0 g/km; Electrical range (provisional, WLTP): 444–518 km); exterior: MANUFAKTUR graphite grey magno (matte); interior: AMG nappa leather black/space grey;Combined electrical consumption (provisional, WLTP): 23.2–20.3 kWh/100 km; combined CO2 emissions (WLTP): 0 g/km; Electrical range (provisional, WLTP): 444–518 km*

Mercedes-Maybach S 580 e (preliminary values, fuel consumption combined, weighted: 1.0-0.8 l/100 km, CO2 emissions combined, weighted: 23-18 g/km, electricity consumption combined, weighted: 25.0-22.9 kWh/100 km);preliminary values, fuel consumption combined, weighted: 1.0-0.8 l/100 km, CO2 emissions combined, weighted: 23-18 g/km, electricity consumption combined, weighted: 25.0-22.9 kWh/100 km*

EQE 350 4MATIC SUV (WLTP: Combined electric energy consumption: 22.5-18.6 kWh/100 km; combined CO2 emissions: 0 g/km); Exterior: AMG Line, obsidian black metallic; Interior: AMG Line, Leather black/space grey;WLTP: Combined electric energy consumption: 22.5-18.6 kWh/100 km; combined CO2 emissions: 0 g/km*

Press Release
Apr 12, 2023 – Stuttgart (Germany)

Mercedes-Benz Cars sales reached 503,500 units (+3%) in the first quarter with Top-End and battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales up 18% and 89% respectively. Despite ongoing supply-chain disruptions, economic headwinds and geopolitical uncertainty, G-Class, Mercedes-AMG, Mercedes-Maybach and Entry segment* electric vehicles posted strong sales figures.

Battery electric vehicle sales rose to 51,600 units (+89%) in the first quarter, reaching 10% of overall sales, up from 6% in the year-earlier period. Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars (excl. smart) BEV sales more than doubled in the first three months (+119%). Entry segment electric vehicles proved popular with EQB sales up 189% and EQA sales rising by 64%, while EQS SUV sales reached 5,500 units. Battery electric vehicle sales surged by 327% in the United States and 41% in Europe. The EQE SUV was launched in the U.S. market ahead of the model’s launch in Europe and China in the second quarter. Including hybrids, almost every fifth vehicle sold in the first quarter was electric.

”Our customers’ desire for our Top-End products and battery electric vehicles is the driving force behind our sales result in the first quarter. Beyond this, we successfully introduced our direct sales model in the UK, while Germany and two more markets will follow in 2023. Looking forward, I am already excited about the upcoming world premiere of the first all-electric Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV [1] next week.”
Britta Seeger, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, responsible for Mercedes-Benz Cars Marketing and Sales

Top-End segment
Sales in the Top-End segment rose to 91,800 units (+18%). Mercedes-AMG sales increased by 44% to 40,300 units, based on new vehicle launches and a strong performance in the SUV segment. Demand for the G-Class remains consistently high with sales up 23% to 10,200 units in the first quarter. Mercedes-Maybach saw 6,700 units sold (+8%) driven mainly by Mercedes-Maybach GLS (+46%). With the introduction of the Mercedes‑Maybach S 580 e[2], the Mercedes-Maybach brand is moving toward higher levels of electrification. The Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV will be the first fully electric model of the brand and will celebrate its world premiere next week at Auto Shanghai. Overall GLS sales rose by 11% to 15,900 units and the all-electric EQS SUV had a promising market launch with 5,500 units sold. The Top-End segment will remain fresh throughout 2023 and beyond. An upgraded GLS family with a fully electrified engine portfolio will hit dealerships in the second half of the year.

Core segment
Sales in the Core segment reached 248,400 units (-11%) impacted by model changeovers for the top-selling GLC and E-Class. The new GLC SUV launched in Europe and will be gradually introduced in other regions in the upcoming months alongside the new GLC Coupé. The new E-Class will be unveiled at the digital world premiere in two weeks and will be introduced in the second half of the year. Sales of the C-Class rose by one third to 80,800 units (+34%), while the E-Class reached 73,300 units (-6%). The fully electric EQE Sedan attracted 9,400 new customers in Q1. Sales of the GLE amounted to 48,800 units (-5%). The refreshed GLE SUV and Coupé are now available to order.

Entry segment
Sales in the Entry segment grew by 27% to 163,300 units in the first quarter. This development was driven by the GLB, which saw sales reach 37,500 (+52%), the GLA with 34,500 units (+25%) and 11,200 units of the all-electric versions EQB (+189%) as well as the EQA, which sold 10,800 units (+64%). The GLA, GLB and CLA recently underwent model updates and will be available for sale in the second quarter.

Sales by regions and markets
In Europe, sales of Mercedes-Benz Cars increased significantly in Q1 to 163,900 units (+8%) thanks to strong demand for Top-End vehicles (+46%). Battery electric vehicles rose by 41% and accounted for 17% of total Mercedes-Benz Cars sales in Europe in the first three months. Overall sales in Germany were up 21% with strong results in all segments, especially Top-End (+55%). BEV sales in Germany grew 29% supported by EQA (+104%) and EQB (+99%). In Belgium, sales increased 17%, lifted by strong demand for battery electric vehicles (+186%). And sales in Italy (+22%) and Spain (+28%) also saw strong growth, particularly in the Top-End segment.

In Asia, sales reached 247,700 units (+3%) with China slightly above prior-year level (+3%). Top-End sales in China stayed high, reaching a new record with 20,500 units (+1%) sold in the first quarter. This result was boosted by robust demand for the GLS, which saw sales increase 17% to 4,500 units, as well as the G-Class with sales up by 71% to 1,600 units. The E-Class was the top-selling vehicle in China in the first quarter with 48,700 units sold (+11%), followed by the C-Class (+37%). BEV sales in China rose by 109% driven by EQA, EQB and EQE. The new EQS SUV and the locally produced EQE SUV will launch in China in the second quarter. In Korea and Japan, sales of battery electric vehicles grew by 288% and 379% following further market launches. Furthermore, in India, one of the fastest growing markets for Mercedes-Benz, sales increased by 17% in the first three months, while sales in Malaysia were up by 53%.

Sales in North America stayed at the prior-year level (+1%). In the U.S. market BEV sales (+327%) more than quadrupled in the first three months. Battery electric vehicles now account for 14% of Mercedes-Benz Cars sales following the market introduction of the EQB, EQE, EQE SUV and EQS SUV. Moreover, sales in the Top-End segment rose significantly to 27,900 units (+29%), representing a share of 43% of Mercedes-Benz Cars unit sales in the U.S. market. The strong performance was driven by AMG sales (+69%) and the G-Class (+46%). Additionally, sales of Mercedes-Maybach tripled in Q1 (+232%). Overall sales in the U.S. remained at the level of Q1 2022 mainly due to the model change of the GLC. Its successor will be introduced to the U.S. market in the second quarter.

Sales in the rest of world were influenced by Mercedes-Benz’s decision to stop its business activities in Russia from March 2022 onwards.

*Top-End: Mercedes-AMG, Mercedes-Maybach, G-Class, S-Class, GLS, EQS and EQS SUV

*Core: All derivatives from C- and E-Class, incl. EQC, EQE and EQE SUV

*Entry: All derivatives from A- and B-Class incl. EQA, EQB and smart

** Europe: European Union, United Kingdom, Switzerland and Norway

*** North America: USA, Canada and Mexico

All figures rounded.

Preliminary figures subject to change pending final reports.

Starting from Q1 2023 the sales figures communicated correspond to group sales consistent with financial reporting and the Mercedes-Benz Group outlook.

Fuel consumption and emissions data1:

1 Data on electrical consumption and range are provisional and were determined internally in accordance with the “WLTP test procedure” certification method. So far there are no confirmed figures from an officially approved testing organisation, nor any EC type approval or certificate of conformity with official figures. Differences between the stated figures and the official figures are possible.

[1] Mercedes-Maybach EQS 680 SUV (provisional figures: combined power consumption: 24.4-22.5 kWh/100 km; CO2 emissions: 0 g/km)

[2] Mercedes-Maybach S 580 e (provisional figures, fuel consumption combined, weighted: 1.0-0.8 l/100 km, CO2 emissions combined, weighted: 23-18 g/km, electricity consumption combined, weighted: 25.0-22.9 kWh/100 km)

Daimler sold 2.34 million Mercedes-Benz passenger cars in 2019 for a ninth consecutive year of record sales, it said on Thursday, putting the German carmaker in pole position to retain the title of biggest-selling premium car brand.

Stuttgart-based Daimler claimed it had retained the title of best-selling luxury car brand. However, rival BMW (BMWG.DE), the brands of which include Mini and Rolls-Royce, has yet to give a breakdown of its global sales.

As a carmaking group, BMW sold 2.52 million vehicles last year to beat Daimler’s 2.46 million Mercedes-Benz and Smart vehicles over the same period.

Mercedes-Benz said it posted sales records in Germany, China and the United States thanks to strong demand for its sports utility vehicles and high-end limousines.

Daimler said Mercedes-Benz sales rose 6.2% in China, where local customers ordered the top-end Maybach Mercedes-Benz S-Class limousine at a rate of more than 700 vehicles a month.

Volkswagen’s (VOWG_p.DE) premium arm Audi (NSUG.DE) said it had sold 1.84 million cars last year, up 1.8% year on year, thanks to a 4.1% jump in Chinese sales including Hong Kong.

Audi said it sold 19,500 electric e-tron models in Europe last year while Daimler declined to provide a figure for how many electric Mercedes-Benz EQC models it delivered to customers.

Mercedes-Benz sold more vehicles around the world last month than ever before in a May: A total of 198,187 cars with the three-pointed star were handed over to customers (+2.3%). The premium brand thus achieved best-ever unit sales for the 63rd month in succession. In the first five months of this year, 985,063 units were sold, which is 5.4% more than in the prior-year period. Mercedes-Benz was the premium brand with the most new registrations in May in countries including Germany, France, Belgium, Portugal, Greece, USA, Canada, Brazil, South Korea, Japan and Australia.

“The 63rd record month in succession demonstrates our customers’ trust in first-class products from Mercedes-Benz. This enables us to further expand our strong position in the premium segment. This May, we delivered more than 198,000 vehicles, which is more than in any May before,” stated Britta Seeger, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG responsible for Mercedes-Benz Cars Marketing and Sales. “Our SUVs are particularly popular with our customers. Worldwide, nearly 350,000 units sold since the beginning of the year is an incredible result; never before have we delivered so many SUVs to our customers in the first five months of a year. We are especially looking forward to the launch of the new G-Class. With our offroad icon, we will continue the success story of the SUVs in June.”

Mercedes-Benz E400 4MATIC AMG Line

Mercedes-Benz unit sales by region and market

In Europe, sales of 393,977 Mercedes-Benz cars in the period of January to May were around the very high prior-year level (+0.1%). This means that Mercedes-Benz posted the highest unit sales ever in Europe in the first five months of a year. The brand delivered 81,011 vehicles to customers this May (-4.1%). In Germany, the domestic market, 125,817 cars with the three-pointed star were sold since the beginning of the year (+2.6%). In the markets France, Spain, Sweden, Poland and Denmark, the brand posted its highest ever unit sales in the first five months and also in May – as well as in Hungary, where furthermore a significant double-digit growth was achieved.

Unit sales in the Asia-Pacific region increased by 10.2% last month to a new high of 79,481 Mercedes-Benz cars delivered. Since the beginning of the year, the brand achieved double-digit growth in the region with sales of 408,844 cars (+13.6%), thus setting a new record. More units were sold than ever before also in China, where 56,066 customers were delighted to receive their new car with the star last month (+12.1%). Since May, the E-Class Cabrio and the S-Class Coupé have also been sold in China. New records were posted last month also in the markets South Korea, Japan and Australia. In South Korea, an important market for AMG, a racetrack was given the brand name “AMG Speedway” in May. The 4.3-kilometre track near Seoul, the capital, is the world’s first racetrack with AMG branding.

In the NAFTA region, 32,614 customers took delivery of their new Mercedes-Benz cars in May (+0.9%) and 159,132 in the first five months (+0.4%). Accordingly the brand slightly exceeded the very high level of the previous year. Sales in the USA totalled 26,976 vehicles in May (+0.3%) and were over the prior-year level as well. In Canada (+1.8%) and Mexico (+7.1%), Mercedes-Benz set new sales records in the first five months of the year.

Mercedes-Benz unit sales by model

Demand for the SUVs from Mercedes-Benz, especially the GLC, was once again very high last month. With an increase of 4.3% to sales of 69,340 units, more SUVs were sold than ever before in a May. A new sales record was set also for the first five months of the year: 349,119 customers decided in favour of an SUV with the three-pointed star in that period (+11.1%). With the start of production of the new G-Class in Graz, Austria, last month, the success story of the iconic SUV is being continued. More than 300,000 units have been handed over to customers since the launch of the first model of the G-Class in 1979.

The E-Class also contributed to the brand’s success with record sales: Since the beginning of the year, 152,618 units of the Saloon and the Estate were sold (+2.5%). Demand in the month of May was particularly strong for the long-wheelbase version of the E-Class, which is sold in China and India. Double-digit growth (23.5%) in sales of that model led to a new record.

The popularity of the new S-Class is unbroken: Mercedes-Benz sold 6,646 units of the luxury saloon in May (+17.1%) and 36,314 customers decided in favour of the brand’s flagship since January (+26.3%). Demand for the S-Class Saloon was very high in all regions of the world: Unit sales increased by a double-digit percentage in the first five months of the year not only in Europe, but also in the Asia-Pacific region and the NAFTA region. 

smart

The current generation of the smart fortwo has already been on the market for four years. This May, the company delivered 11,609 units of the smart brand to customers (-4.9%).

Sales in the first five months totalled 52,463 units (-8.5%). The smart was especially popular in the months of January to May in the German domestic market, where sales increased at a double-digit rate, as they did in Europe also in Belgium and the Netherlands. The changeover of the smart into a purely electric brand is going ahead at full speed – never before were so many units of the smart EQ fortwo and forfour models sold in the first five months of a year as in 2018.

Overview of sales by Mercedes-Benz Cars

After the best first half year in the company’s history, Mercedes-Benz has started the third quarter very successfully. In July, 163,770 Mercedes-Benz vehicles were handed over to customers all over the world, an increase of 9.4%. Sales in the first seven months of the year rose to 1,170,389 units (+11.7%). Thanks to increased demand in all regions, the Stuttgart-based company with the three-pointed star achieved new best ever sales in July and in the period of January through July.

Ola Källenius, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG responsible for Mercedes-Benz Cars Marketing and Sales: “The year of the E-Class and the dream cars has been progressing very successfully for us. The new E-Class Saloon is extremely popular with our customers. And we delivered around 12,000 of the dream cars to our customers in July. Our new models are strengthening the Mercedes-Benz brand while further rejuvenating the product range.”& amp; amp; lt; /p>

Mercedes-Benz unit sales by region and market

Unit sales in Europe increased to 68,990 vehicles in July (+6.2%). Since the beginning of the year, Mercedes-Benz delivered more than half a million vehicles in its biggest sales region (+12.3%). The main contributions came from the major markets Great Britain, Italy, France and Spain, where Mercedes-Benz achieved double-digit growth in each market from January to July. Furthermore a third of all vehicles sold in Europe were delivered to customers in Germany: Sales in this market amounted to 167,299 units (+6.9%) in the first seven months. Customers in the domestic market can now order their new cars not only at dealerships but also in the new online store – in the comfort of their homes or when on the move. In Spain and Portugal, the Stuttgart-based company with the three-pointed star was the market leader among the premium manufacturers last month.

In the Asia-Pacific region last month, demand for Mercedes-Benz automobiles was higher than ever before in a July: 57,260 vehicles were delivered to their new owners (+19.7%). In Japan, sales reached the new high of 5,045 units (+15.8%) in July. In China, the biggest single market, sales of vehicles with the three-pointed star rose by a third to more than 250,000 units in the first seven months. In Japan and Taiwan, Mercedes-Benz was the premium brand with the most new registrations in July.

In the NAFTA region, new records were achieved in all three markets in July: Sales by Mercedes-Benz in the USA, Canada and Mexico increased by 5.4% to 33,185 units. 28,523 vehicles were delivered to customers in the USA (+3.6%), where demand was strong not only for the Mercedes-Benz SUVs, but also for the new E-Class Saloon. Mercedes-Benz was the market leader among the premium manufacturers in the USA and Canada last month.

Mercedes-Benz unit sales by model

The E-Class Saloon and Estate were among the best-selling Mercedes-Benz models in July. The new E-Class Saloon is now available from dealerships around the world and the Estate has been available to order in Europe since last month. In China, the new E-Class Saloon with the long wheelbase should ensure a sharp rise in demand as of the autumn. Like the predecessor model, it will be produced locally.

The SUVs from Mercedes-Benz reached the new record of 56,297 units sold in July (+43.6%). Demand for the GLC is as high as ever; worldwide unit sales doubled compared with the prior-year month.

In the year of the dream cars, in July, around 12,000 coupes, roadsters and convertibles with the three-pointed star were delivered to their new owners, which is an increase of 19.6% compared with the same month of last year. The main contributors to this growth were the new C-Class Coupé and the new S-Class Cabriolet.

smart

The smart brand increased its unit sales by 13.8% in July and delivered more than10,000 cars to its customers. The urban microcar models were especially popular in China, where sales tripled last month. There will be additional sales impetus from the new smart BRABUS, which can now be ordered in Europe. As fortwo, fortwo cabrio and forfour with 80 kW/109 hp, these sporty versions feature a wide range of technical and optical modifications, both exterior and interior.

Overview of sales by Mercedes-Benz Cars

Mercedes-Benz increased its unit sales in March by 8.4% to 198,921 vehicles. More cars were handed over to customers than ever before in one month. The Stuttgart based company with the three-pointed star also achieved the best first quarter in its history with total sales of 483,487 units (+12.6%).

Mercedes-Benz C 400 4MATIC Cabriolet, exterior: brilliant blue, AMG Line; interior: crystal grey Fuel consumption (l/100 km) urban/ex urban/combined: 10.9/6.3/8.0 combined CO2 emissions: 181 g/km

Ola Källenius, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG responsible for Mercedes-Benz Cars Marketing & Sales: “Mercedes-Benz posted the strongest unit sales in the company’s history in March. And we remain on track. We have just presented two new vehicles without predecessors: the C-Class Cabriolet and the GLC Coupé.”

Mercedes-Benz unit sales by region and market

Sales in Europe totalled 97,748 units in March (+9.8%), of which 28,316 vehicles were delivered to customers in Germany (+4.4%). In the first quarter, Mercedes-Benz achieved double-digit growth in Great Britain, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Austria, Sweden and Portugal. Mercedes-Benz was the market leader among the premium manufacturers in Portugal in March.

In the Asia-Pacific region, 63,888 customers took delivery of their car with the three-pointed star in March. Unit sales thus increased by 17.9% compared with the prior-year month. In China, 38,133 units were sold in the third month of the year, an increase of 26.6%. New records were achieved for unit sales in March and in the first quarter in China, South Korea, Australia and Taiwan. In Japan, Australia and Taiwan, Mercedes-Benz maintained its market leadership among the premium manufacturers in March.

Mercedes-Benz sales in the NAFTA region totalled 32,856 units in March. In the USA, the Stuttgart based company with the three-pointed star handed over 28,164 vehicles to customers. In Canada and Mexico, Mercedes-Benz achieved new records for unit sales last month. Mercedes-Benz maintained its position as the market leased among the premium manufacturers in March.

Mercedes-Benz unit sales by model

Mercedes-Benz achieved growth in unit sales of 21.9% for its compact cars compared with the prior-year month: in March, 66,930 customers took delivery of their new A- or B-Class, CLA, CLA Shooting Brake or GLA, a new record. More than 150,000 compact cars were sold in the first quarter (+25.8%). At the New York International Auto Show, the CLA Facelift was presented for the first time.

Unit sales of C-Class Saloon and Estate surpassed 40,000 units in March. The C-Class segment is being strengthened with the new C-Class Cabriolet. It debuted at the Geneva Motor Show and is the new entry model into the cabriolet world of Mercedes-Benz.

Demand for the E-Class Saloon and Estate remained high shortly before the model change. In March, the E-Class Saloon and Estate were among the best-selling models of Mercedes-Benz. The new E-Class Saloon will be in the dealerships’ showrooms as of April 9.

The S-Class maintained its position as the world’s best-selling luxury saloon also in the first quarter of this year.

The SUVs continue to contribute to the growth of Mercedes-Benz. In March, 62,595 customers worldwide received their new SUV (+44.4%), more than ever before. Growth in March was particularly strong in China, the USA, Germany and Great Britain. The SUV family will be expanded with the new GLC Coupé, which recently had its world premiere at the New York International Auto Show.

smart

Unit sales of the smart fortwo and the smart forfour reached to a total of 16,114 cars in March, an increase of 34.5%. That was more of the city car than had ever been sold before in the month of March. Demand was especially strong in Italy and Great Britain; unit sales nearly doubled in both countries. The new smart convertible became available from dealerships on time for the start of spring.

Mercedes-Benz handed over 133,752 vehicles to customers in February, more than ever before in the second month of a year (+11.2%). Record unit sales were achieved in Europe, Asia-Pacific and the NAFTA region. In February, Mercedes-Benz was the premium-market leader in Japan, Australia, Canada and Taiwan, and posted its highest monthly unit sales to date for both SUVs and compact cars.
Stuttgart – Mercedes-Benz achieved double-digit growth in February and delivered 133,752 vehicles to customers. The Stuttgart-based company with the three-pointed star thus reached record unit sales in February as well as in the first two months of the year.

Ola Källenius, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG responsible for Mercedes-Benz Cars Marketing & Sales: “Mercedes-Benz continued its successful path in February, with major contributions from the SUVs and the compact cars. In February, we also sold the 100,000th C-Class Saloon with the long-wheelbase version, which is available only in China.”

GLA 220 CDI 4MATIC, Orient Brown metallic, Urban line, Exclusive package, Nut Brown leather

Mercedes-Benz GLC 250 d 4MATIC, Citrine Brown Magno, Offroad Line exterior and Mercedes-Benz GLC 350 e 4MATIC, Edition 1, Selenite Grey, AMG Line exterior

Mercedes-Benz unit sales by region and market

The European market expanded by 14.5% in February, with a total of 57,901 vehicles with the star delivered to customers. Sales in Germany of 20,751 units in February were higher than in the prior-year month (+18.6%). In February, more vehicles than ever before were delivered to customers in Great Britain, Belgium, Switzerland, Sweden and Portugal.

Sales in the Asia-Pacific region continued to develop positively for Mercedes-Benz, with sales of 44,918 units in February (+18.2%). In China, sales in the second month of the year increased by 29.3% to a new high of 25,837 vehicles. Mercedes-Benz achieved record unit sales also in Japan, South Korea and Australia. In Japan, Australia and Taiwan, the Stuttgart-based company with the star achieved market leadership amongst the premium manufacturers.

In the NAFTA region, sales increased by 0.4% to a total of 26,852 vehicles sold in February. Of that total, 22,941 Mercedes-Benz vehicles were sold to customers in the USA. A new sales record was set in Canada and Mexico both in February and in the first two months of the year. In Canada, Mercedes-Benz maintained its position as the market leader amongst the premium manufacturers in February.

Mercedes-Benz unit sales by model

Worldwide unit sales of compact cars in February were 22.3% above the level of the prior-year month. In total, 42,986 customers received their new A- or B-Class, CLA, CLA Shooting Brake or GLA in the second month of this year. The Mercedes-Benz compact cars were especially popular in the first two months of the year in China, where unit sales quadrupled.

Worldwide, a total of 28,146 C-Class Saloons and Estates were handed over to customers in February. The long-wheelbase version of the C-Class Saloon, which is only available in China, is especially popular. Since its market launch in mid-2014, more than 100,000 units of this model have been sold.

Unit sales of the E-Class remained high shortly before the model change; in February, the E-Class Saloon and Estate were among the best-selling models of Mercedes-Benz. In early March, the world’s most intelligent business saloon was presented for the first time in Europe at the Geneva Motor Show.

The S-Class maintained its position as the world’s best-selling luxury saloon also in the first two months of this year.

Demand for Mercedes-Benz SUVs continues at a high level. Nearly 100,000 SUVs were sold in the first two months of the year. 45,676 customers received their new Mercedes-Benz SUV in February. This means that unit sales increased by 48.5% compared with the prior-year month. The GLA and the GLC achieved particularly strong growth in February.
smart

Worldwide, 10,015 customers received their new smart fortwo or forfour in February. Demand for the small urban car thus increased by 20.6% compared with the second month of last year. Growth in February was particularly strong in Great Britain and Spain. At the Geneva Motor Show, smart presented even more possibilities for individualization with the new BRABUS sport package.

Overview of sales by Mercedes-Benz Cars

Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA)  reported record January sales of 24,664, topping last January’s record volume of 24,619 units sold. Adding 1,899 units for Vans and 399 units for smart, MBUSA achieved its highest January to date with a grand total of 26,962 vehicles, up 1.3% from a year ago.

“On the heels of our highest volume sales year in MBUSA’s history, January is continuing the momentum into 2016,” said Dietmar Exler, president and CEO of MBUSA. “Our new product offerings, including the new E-Class will continue to bring our customers the best in experience and innovation.”

Mercedes-Benz volume leaders in January included the C-Class, GLE and CLA model lines. The C-Class took the lead at 5,079, followed by the new GLE sales of 3,515. The CLA rounded out the top three with an increase of 27.2% to 3,168 units sold.

Mercedes-Benz AMG high-performance models sold 1,904 units in January, up 141% from last year (790), while the brand’s BlueTEC diesel lineup finished the month at 334.

Separately, Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned (MBCPO) models recorded their best January ever with sales of 9,934, up 5.1% from the 9,456 units sold the same month last year.

Mercedes-Benz C450 AMG Sedan and Mercedes-Benz GLE450 AMG Coupe

Mercedes-Benz delivered more cars to customers in 2015 than ever before in one year. The Stuttgart-based premium brand with the three-pointed star sold a total of 1,871,511 vehicles (+13.4%), posting its fifth record year in a row. Furthermore, the year 2015 ended for Mercedes-Benz with its strongest-selling December (178,017 units, +9.1%) and best quarter (495.159 units, +8.8%).

Dr Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars: “Last year, we sold more cars than ever before. We were able to increase our unit sales in all three core regions – Europe, NAFTA and Asia-Pacific. And with 373,459 units sold, China developed into our biggest individual market worldwide in 2015. With growth there of 32.6%, Mercedes-Benz grew significantly faster than the overall automobile market.”

Growth drivers in 2015 were the SUVs and the compact cars. For the first time, more than half a million units were sold in each segment. “We anticipate additional sales impetus in 2016 from the new E-Class, the world’s most intelligent business saloon. And our new dream cars such as the S-Class Cabrio, the C-Class Coupé and the new generations of the SL and SLK will further boost the fascination of the Mercedes-Benz brand,” stated Ola Källenius, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG responsible for Mercedes-Benz Cars Marketing and Sales.

2015 Mercedes-Benz Sales Overview

Consequent hybridization

Consequent hybridization is a concrete component of the Mercedes-Benz drivetrain strategy. Last year alone, the brand presented four new Plug-In Hybrid models: the C 350 e as a Saloon and Estate, the GLE 500 e 4MATIC, and the GLC 350 e 4MATIC. Meanwhile, Plug-In Hybrids account for a growing share of the unit sales of Mercedes-Benz. In 2017, a total of ten Mercedes-Benz Plug-In Hybrid models will be on the market. On average, a new Plug-In Hybrid is launched every four months.

Europe: double-digit growth in nearly all markets

In Europe, Mercedes-Benz sold more cars in 2015 than ever before in one year: A total of 798,852 customers decided in favour of a car with the three-pointed star (+10.5%). In the highly competitive German market, Mercedes-Benz once again maintained its market leadership amongst the premium manufacturers in 2015. Unit sales in Germany increased by 4.7% in 2015. In Great Britain, the second-largest European market, another sales record was set in 2015 with a total of 144,474 vehicles handed over to customers (+17.0%). The brand achieved double-digit growth in unit sales in nearly all of the region’s markets, with particularly high rates in Italy (+13.8%), Spain (+27.3%), Turkey (+30.9%), Switzerland (+21.6%) and Netherlands (+30.7%). In Portugal, Mercedes-Benz was the premium brand with the most new registrations in 2015.

Strongest growth in the Asia-Pacific region

In the Asia-Pacific region, demand for Mercedes-Benz models has never been as strong as in December and in the full year. Sales there grew last year by a quarter to 615,325 units. The biggest growth market was China, where Mercedes-Benz launched more than 15 new or updated models and expanded the dealer network to approximately 500 dealerships last year. Local production capacities were also expanded. In addition to the C- and E-Class, the two SUV models GLA and GLC started to be produced in China last year. For the first time, China is the biggest sales market for Mercedes-Benz. With 373,459 vehicles sold, an increase of 32.6%, unit sales in 2015 were significantly higher than ever before. Growth in the Asia-Pacific region was boosted in 2015 also by sales in South Korea (+26.8%), India (+32.4%) and Malaysia (+56.5%), where new records were set. In Japan, the region’s second-largest market, more cars were sold than ever before (64,989 units, +7.1%). In 2015, Mercedes-Benz was the premium brand with the most new registrations in Japan, Australia and Taiwan.

Sales records in the NAFTA region

In the NAFTA region, new sales records were set in December and in the full year as a result of the best-ever unit sales in the USA, Canada and Mexico. 38,557 cars were handed over to customers in the last month of the year (+2.1%), and sales in the full year increased to 392,843 units (+5.2%). From January to December, sales in the USA grew to 343,088 units (+3.8%). And in Canada, Mercedes-Benz was the market leader amongst the premium manufacturers in 2015.

Ongoing successful path for new compact cars: more than half a million units sold

The compact cars, comprising the A- and B-Class, the CLA, the CLA Shooting Brake and the GLA, achieved new best figures in both December and the full year. A total of 582,531 customers decided in favour of a Mercedes-Benz compact car in 2015, which is 25.8% more than in the previous year. The models are particularly popular in the home market of Mercedes-Benz. Nearly every fifth compact car went to customers in Germany last year.

Continuation of C-Class as the best-selling model

The full availability of the C-Class Saloon and Estate models in all core markets and of further motorizations created additional sales impetus in 2015, so that unit sales surpassed the prior-year number by 40.1% (443,909 units). More C-Class vehicles were delivered to customers than ever before in one year. Growth in the C-Class segment will be further boosted in 2016 by the new C-Class Coupé, which has been on the market since December.

E-Class long-wheelbase version especially popular

A total of 232,453 units of the E-Class Saloon and Estate were sold in 2015. The long-wheelbase version of the E-Class was particularly popular in China, where sales of this model increased to the new record of 58,286 units. The new E-Class will have its world premiere at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in a few days’ time. With the world’s most intelligent business saloon car, Mercedes-Benz is taking a further important step along the path to accident-free and autonomous driving.

S-Class once again the world’s best-selling luxury saloon

With six versions of the new-generation S-Class now presented, Mercedes-Benz continued its product offensive in the luxury segment in 2015. Last year, the S-Class was once again the world’s best-selling luxury saloon. About a third of all S-Class vehicles were sold in China in 2015. Approximately 500 units of the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class, which was launched in February, were delivered to customers each month in China alone.

Successful “Year of the SUVs”

In the “Year of the SUVs,” the Mercedes-Benz brand launched four new or updated models, thus renewing nearly its entire range of sport utility vehicles. Unit sales of SUVs in 2015 surpassed the prior-year figure by 26.6% and rose to the record number of 525,866 vehicles. The top sellers were the GLC and the GLA, with unit sales almost doubling. The successor to the GL, the new GLS model, will be at dealerships as of March 2016.

V-Class: double-digit growth in first full year of sales

The V-Class – a car for up to eight people – has redefined the segment of multipurpose vehicles. In its first full year on the market, unit sales increased by 26.2% to 31,499 units. With new equipment possibilities available since last year, Mercedes-Benz is offering its customers even more flexibility for the individual configuration of their V-Class.

Record year for Mercedes-AMG

Mercedes-AMG can look back on a record year 2015: With 68,875 units sold (+44.6%), the sports-car and high-performance brand of Mercedes-Benz reached a new peak last year. This means that its unit sales have more than doubled in the past two years. In addition to the new AMG sports models launched in 2015, the growth drivers include the high-performance models of the C-Class and the compact cars. The new and independently developed Mercedes-AMG GT was also very popular with customers. The strongest sales markets for AMG automobiles were the USA, Germany and China.

New smart generation available in all core markets

119,398 smart vehicles were sold in the past twelve months (+32.9%). The fortwo and forfour models were especially popular in smart’s two biggest European markets, Germany and Italy. Furthermore, unit sales doubled in Great Britain, France, Spain and Switzerland. Now that the new generation has been available in the important markets of China and the USA since last summer, the smart brand will launch more models of the small city car than ever before in 2016: Customers can look forward to the new smart fortwo cabrio this spring. In summer, the new sporty BRABUS models of the fortwo and forfour with more powerful engines will be in the showrooms. And they will be followed at the end of the year by fully electric versions of the two-seater and four-seater and of the smart fortwo cabrio.

The compact two-seater has proven its attractiveness also at car2go. With more than 14,000 smart fortwo vehicles, car2go is the world’s biggest car-sharing-company and the market leader in the segment of station-independent car sharing. Meanwhile, a car2go rental begins every 1.4 seconds at one of the 31 locations in Europe and North America. The changeover of the car2go fleet to the new smart generation started in the first locations in the fourth quarter of last year.

“Best Customer Experience” – opening of additional Mercedes me Stores and start of “She’s Mercedes”

With its “Best Customer Experience” marketing and sales strategy, Mercedes-Benz has been focusing directly on its customer wishes since 2013, and addresses people in their own life situations with specially tailored offers. In this context, the brand is increasingly applying digitalization in its sales formats. The Mercedes me Stores are a significant component of the strategy. They have an urban format with numerous digital features and a modern catering and event concept that appeals to young and new target groups. In 2015, four more Mercedes me Stores opened in Milan, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Munich.

“Best Customer Experience” is an important element of the “Mercedes-Benz 2020” strategy, which is continually being expanded with new concepts for addressing customers on an individual basis. In 2015, the Stuttgart-based brand with the three-pointed star began an initiative to focus more than previously on women’s needs and wishes. The goal is to establish Mercedes-Benz by 2020 as the most attractive luxury automobile brand also for women, and to significantly increase the proportion of female customers. This initiative includes the new “She’s Mercedes” community and inspiration platform (www.mercedes.me/she), as well as networking events for women, special training for sales employees and more female sales staff. In parallel with “She’s Mercedes,” Mercedes-Benz has developed the completely new lifestyle configurator as a supplement to the existing configurator. This allows customers to specify their individual preferences for furniture, holiday destinations, types of sport etc., and then suggests a car for them on that basis.

Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) today reported record April sales for the Mercedes-Benz brand with 29,188 units, up 12.8% from 25,887 sold in the same month last year. Sprinter posted a gain of 15.5% to 2,764 vehicles in April, combining with 480 units at smart for a monthly total of 32,432 for MBUSA. On a year-to-date basis, Mercedes-Benz sold 107,344 vehicles, increasing 9%. Adding 8,323 units at Sprinter (up 18.6%) and 2,013 units at smart, the company’s year-to-date grand total hit 117,680.

“The momentum of a record first quarter propelled us to the best April sales in our history,” said Stephen Cannon, president and CEO of MBUSA. “With the Mercedes-Maybach S600 and Mercedes-AMG GT S now arriving in showrooms, we’re fueling our growth at the upper reaches of the luxury and high-performance markets.”

The C-, E- and M-Class model lines led Mercedes-Benz April sales. The C-Class took the top spot at 6,665, up 30.3% from 5,114 in April 2014. The M-Class, best-seller on the light truck side, followed with a 29.1% gain to 4,945 units, while the E-Class rounded out the top three with sales of 3,466. At the high end, sales for the legendary G-Class sport-utility increased 9.5%.

Sales of Mercedes-AMG high-performance models totaled 1,119 in April, up 11.2% from the 1,006 units sold last year, and 3,826 year-to-date. Mercedes-Benz BlueTEC diesel models delivered 2,970 units for the month – a 93.7% gain from April 2014 – with year-to-date volumes climbing 13.8% to 6,210.

Separately, Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned (MBCPO) models delivered April sales of 9,367, while year-to-date sales hit 37,806.

Mercedes-Benz reported the highest monthly sales in its history with a best-ever November total of 34,578, compared to 34,376 units the same month last year. Sprinter volumes increased 26% to 2,532 for the month, combining with 815 units at smart to bring total November sales at Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) to a record 37,925. On a year-to-date basis, Mercedes-Benz retails increased 6% to 296,382 from 279,501 through November 2013, with 22,457 vehicles at Sprinter and 9,480 units at smart propelling MBUSA to a year-to-date grand total of 328,319.

“November was one for the history books at Mercedes-Benz,” said Stephen Cannon, president and CEO of MBUSA. “Beyond record sales, our rise to the top spot in J.D. Power’s Sales Satisfaction Index shows our efforts on the customer experience front are resonating with owners.”

Mercedes-Benz November sales were led by the C-, E- and M-Class model lines. The C-Class, which entered a new generation for the 2015 model year, took the lead at 9,259, up 17.5% from the 7,878 units sold the same month last year. The brand’s best-selling SUV, the M-Class, followed with a volume of 5,190, up 19.9%, while the E-Class rounded out the top three at 4,737. At the high end, the flagship S-Class topped last year’s November sales by 50.1% at 2,863.

Mercedes-Benz AMG high-performance models delivered November sales of 989, an increase of 10.4% from the 896 units sold the same month last year. Year-to-date AMG volumes totaled 10,181, climbing 52.1% from the 6,693 units sold during the comparable period in 2013.

Retails for Mercedes-Benz BlueTEC diesel models reached 1,316 in November, with year-to-date sales of 13,361.

Separately, Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned (MBCPO) vehicles recorded sales of 9,692 in November, an increase of 9.6% from the 8,847 units sold during the same month last year. On a year-to-date basis, MBCPO sold 107,878 units, up 20.7% from the 89,349 vehicles sold during the comparable period in 2013.

Mercedes-Benz is continuing to extend its position as the world’s most valuable premium automobile brand according to the current rankings for “Best Global Brands 2014” compiled by renowned US brand consultancy Interbrand, the Mercedes brand has advanced to 10th place and as such is the only European company to make it into the top 10 of the 100 most valuable brands. Compared with the previous year, the brand’s value has risen by eight percent to 34.34 billion dollars and has thus achieved continued growth since 2009. In the last two years Mercedes-Benz was placed 11th in the rankings.

“We are proud and delighted that we have been able to further raise the value of our brand through our focused marketing measures”, commented Dr Jens Thiemer, Head of Marketing Communication, Mercedes-Benz Cars. “This shows that with our product offensive and new sales strategy, both of which are geared towards the needs and wishes of our customers, we have been able to achieve new highs all round – both in terms of sales and also our reputation.”

The authors of the “Best Global Brands” study based the renewed growth in value on the ability of Mercedes-Benz to open up the brand to new, younger target groups based on new models and a new design. They also said that the success of the new E-Class, CLA or GLA has demonstrated that the new design idiom has been very well received as it allows customers to stand out from the crowd in visual terms. At the same time, the expansion of sales channels and the strengthening of brand communications in China have contributed to an impressive increase in sales, according to the study.

Mercedes-Benz posted the strongest sales month in the company’s history to date in September and the first month with customer deliveries of more than 160,000 vehicles (162,746 units, +13.8%). Moreover, with sales from July to September, the company has had the strongest quarter in its history to date (412,018 units, +11.9%). Mercedes-Benz has posted double-digit growth since the start of the year (+12.5%) and thus a new record with sales of 1,195,156 cars.

Since the beginning of the year, Mercedes-Benz has achieved particularly strong growth rates in the Asia-Pacific region: In China, the company continued on its course of success of recent months and grew unit sales to a new record high of 203,485 vehicles (+30.5%).

The “Best Global Brands” are identified by Interbrand annually. The study is considered by leading CEOs worldwide to represent the competitive benchmark for the value of international brands. The study is designed to identify the world’s 100 most valuable brands.

Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) today reported best-ever June sales volumes of 29,380 across the Mercedes-Benz, Sprinter and smart model lines, up 8.2% from the 27,162 vehicles sold the same month last year. Monthly retails for the Mercedes-Benz brand alone increased 8.6% to 26,506, bringing year-to-date volumes to a milestone 151,624 units. Adding year-to-date sales of 11,483 for Sprinter Vans and 4,647 units at smart, MBUSA delivered the best first-half sales total in its history at 167,754 units.

“We’re breaking records through June, hitting the best second-quarter finish in our history with four new launches still ahead,” said Stephen Cannon, president and CEO of MBUSA. “In just two weeks, we’ll start with the launch of our first ‘Electric Mercedes,’ the B-Class Electric Drive.”

Mercedes-Benz June sales were led by the C-, E- and M-Class model lines. The E-Class took the top spot with 6,500 units, increasing 25.5% from June 2013, followed by the C-Class, which enters a new generation this fall, at 5,607. The brand’s top-selling SUV, the M-Class, rounded out the top three with sales of 3,891, up 6.6% from the same month last year. At the high end, the flagship S-Class achieved its ninth consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains with June retails of 1,780, up 111.7% from June 2013.

As a whole, Mercedes-Benz passenger cars – spanning models from the entry CLA-Class four-door coupe to the range-topping SLS AMG GT performance car – posted first-half sales of 97,828, which represents a 7.9% increase from the 90,650 vehicles sold as of June 2013. Mercedes-Benz light truck offerings, comprised of the GLK-, M-, GL- and G-Class lineups, delivered collective year-to-date gains of 4.9% with 53,796 units (compared to the 51,300 vehicles sold in the first half of 2013). Similarly, high-end models accounted for sales of 17,271 vehicles in the first six months of the year, a 21.5% increase over the same period in 2013.

Sprinter Vans posted another month of double-digit sales increases with 2,201 units in June, up 12% from the 1,966 units sold in June 2013. Monthly sales for the smart brand totaled 673 units.

The company’s AMG high-performance models achieved June sales of 820, up 76.7%, with year-to-date volumes climbing 75.8% to 5,620. Sales of Mercedes-Benz BlueTEC diesel models totaled 1,214 for the month, while year-to-date sales reached 8,166.

Separately, Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned (MBCPO) recorded sales volumes of 7,947 vehicles in June, an increase of 2.2% compared to the 7,773 units sold during the same month last year. On a year-to-date basis, MBCPO sold 57,572 units, up 17.5% from the 49,004 vehicles sold through June 2013.

Mercedes-Benz USA reported its highest May sales on record with 29,570 units across the Mercedes-Benz, Sprinter and smart model lines, an increase of 8.1% from the 27,359 vehicles sold the same period last year. The Mercedes-Benz brand alone posted May retails of 26,617, up 7.7% for the month, while year-to-date volumes reached 125,118, up 6.5%. Adding year-to-date sales of 9,282 for Sprinter Vans (up 23.5%) and 3,974 units at smart (up 8%), MBUSA achieved a year-to-date grand total of 138,374.

“With five record months on the books for 2014,” said Stephen Cannon, president and CEO of MBUSA, “we continue to accelerate thanks to the strength of our product offering and our dealer network’s laser focus on the customer experience.”

Top sellers in May for the Mercedes-Benz brand included the C-, E- and M-Class model lines. The E-Class took the lead with sales of 6,168 vehicles, up 25.1% from the same month last year, followed by the C-Class at 5,284. The M-Class, volume leader in the Mercedes-Benz SUV lineup, rounded out the top three at 4,084, an increase of 26.9% from May 2013. At the high end, the flagship S-Class continued its streak of double-digit year-over-year sales gains with May volumes of 2,173, up 82.6% from the same month last year.

The newly redesigned Sprinter lineup continued to show strong sales momentum in May, posting monthly sales of 2,264, an increase of 23.9% from the 1,828 units sold in May 2013. May sales on the smart side reached 689.

The company’s AMG high-performance models finished the month up 79.9% at 964, with year-to-date volumes climbing 75.6% to 4,800. Sales of Mercedes-Benz BlueTEC diesel models totaled 1,496 in May, while year-to-date sales hit 6,952, an increase of 5% from the 6,619 diesel units sold during the same period last year.

Separately, Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned (MBCPO) recorded sales volumes of 11,870 vehicles in May, an increase of 46.3% compared to the 8,113 units sold during the same month last year. On a year-to-date basis, MBCPO sold 49,625 units, up 20.4% from the 41,231 vehicles sold through May 2013.

Mercedes-Benz started into the second quarter of 2014 with strong growth: In April, the company delivered 133,077 vehicles to customers around the world, posting growth of 14.2%. With sales of more than half a million vehicles, the brand recorded a sales increase of 14.9% since the beginning of the year.

Mercedes-Benz SLK

“We are posting a double-digit percentage growth in sales for the tenth consecutive month, among others also due to the great success of the new C-Class”, said Ola Källenius, Member of the Divisional Board Mercedes-Benz Cars responsible for Marketing & Sales. “Our strong growth in April shows: We continue to be on the right course and are winning new customers for our brand worldwide.”

Sales of the brand developed very successfully in Europe. Overall, 62,868 vehicles were delivered to customers (+10.3%). The total since the beginning of the year was at 224,257 units (+8.2%). In the German domestic market, the brand increased its sales in April to 24,430 units (+2.5%). The German market is one of the three largest sales markets of the premium brand.

In its biggest sales market, the USA, the company posted a new sales record: In April, Mercedes-Benz handed 25,887 vehicles over to customers, an increase of 9.5% and was therefore premium manufacturer number one. Particularly great demand was seen for the S-Class sedan, whose top models, the S 600 and S 65 AMG, are also available starting this month. In Canada, the brand posted growth of 14.4% with sales of 2,887 vehicles in April.

The greatest growth driver was once more the Asian market: In China including Hong Kong, Mercedes-Benz delivered 22,438 vehicles in April, 38.2% more than in the same month of the previous year. In mid-April the company celebrated the world premiere of the new C-Class long version at the “Auto China” motor show in Beijing. The new extended C-Class version, which is 80 millimeters longer, will be produced at Beijing Benz Automotive Co., Ltd. (BBAC) in Beijing exclusively for the Chinese market and will come on the market there in the third quarter. The introduction of the model marks another milestone in the implementation of Daimler’s China strategy. China is the second-largest market for the C-Class sedan after the USA.

Sales also developed very well in the other Asian markets: In Taiwan and South Korea, the company posted further sales records and double-digit growth rates. Despite the difficult market environment in Japan caused by a sales tax increase, Mercedes-Benz maintained its standing as the most registered premium manufacturer.

Among the model series, the compact car models of Mercedes-Benz continue to develop very well. In April, the brand sold 36,625 vehicles of the A-, B-, CLA- and GLA-Class (+20.3%). The compact SUV GLA has been on European roads since March and won the “Design Trophy Award” of the German magazine “Auto Zeitung” in the SUV category in April.

The demand for the models of the E-Class family was particularly strong in April. Worldwide, 23,107 customers opted for a sedan or an estate (+33.0%). Strong growth was also posted by the E-Class coupe with a sales increase of 50.9% in April. The brand subsumes its coupes, convertibles and roadsters under the umbrella term “Mercedes-Benz Dream cars”. Since the beginning of the year, more than 50,000 of these dream cars with the star have been delivered to customers. As the summer approaches, the Mercedes-Benz convertibles are in special demand — since the beginning of the year, round about 20,000 customers have opted for open-air driving.

The flagship of the brand, the S-Class, was delivered to customers 8,213 times in April, or twice as often as in the same month of the previous year. The Mercedes-Benz S-Class has been the best-selling luxury sedan in the world for long.

The SUVs with the star continue to be successful: In April, Mercedes-Benz sold 28,656 vehicles of the SUV segment, more than ever before (+9.1%). At the motor show in Beijing in April the company presented the Concept Coupe SUV – a four-door, all-wheel-drive coupe with the advantages of an SUV. The extremely sporty study offers a glimpse into next year’s series vehicle.

The compact city car smart fortwo was handed over to customers 8,392 times in April (PY 8,740 units). The two-seater is attracting increasing numbers of customers, especially in the USA (+57.1%) and in China (+20.9%). The next generation of the smart will celebrate its world premiere in Berlin, Germany in July with a two- and four-seater.

Mercedes-Benz SLK

Overview of sales by Mercedes-Benz Cars

Mercedes-Benz USA reported best April sales to-date with 29,329 units sold across the Mercedes-Benz, Sprinter and smart model lines, rising 12.1% from the 26,157 retails in April 2013. Mercedes-Benz alone totaled 25,887 vehicles for the month, an increase of 9.5%, while year-to-date volumes for the brand reached 98,501, up 6.1% from the same period last year. Adding year-to-date sales of 7,018 for Sprinter Vans and 3,285 units at smart, MBUSA posted a year-to-date grand total of 108,804, marking the best second quarter start in its history.

April sales for the Mercedes-Benz brand were led by the C-, E- and M-Class model lines. The E-Class took the lead with 6,056 units, an increase of 36.7% from April 2013, followed by the C-Class at 5,114. The M-Class, volume leader in the Mercedes-Benz SUV lineup, rounded out the top three at 3,831, up 16.8% from the same month last year. At the high end, the flagship S-Class achieved its seventh month of double-digit year-over-year sales gains with 1,909 units sold in April, up 73.1%.

Both the Sprinter and smart model lines delivered double-digit growth in April. The newly redesigned Sprinter lineup posted April volumes of 2,394, rising 29.1% from the 1,855 units sold in April 2013. Monthly retails on the smart side hit an all-time high of 1,048, climbing 57.1% over the same month last year.

The company’s AMG high-performance models finished the month up 75.3% at 1,006, with year-to-date volumes jumping 74.6% to 3,836. Mercedes-Benz BlueTEC diesel models delivered April sales of 1,533, increasing 30.9%, and 5,456 year-to-date, up 6.6% when compared to the 5,116 diesel units sold during the same period last year.

Separately, Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned (MBCPO) recorded sales volumes of 9,705 vehicles in April, an increase of 10.9% compared to the 8,748 units sold during the same month last year. On a year-to-date basis, MBCPO sold 37,755 units, up 14% from the 33,118 vehicles sold through April 2013.

Mercedes-Benz posted the best-selling month in the company’s history in March and has handed over 158,523 vehicles to customers (+13.3%). With sales of 374,276 cars since the beginning of the year, the company has also posted the strongest first quarter to date (+15.2%).

“We are continuing the success story of the record year 2013 with additional new products and have posted the best-ever first-quarter sales in the company’s history”, said Ola Källenius, Member of the Divisional Board Mercedes-Benz Cars responsible for Marketing & Sales. “We have been posting double-digit growth rates for sales in every month since the beginning of the year. We expect added impetus from the new C-Class and the compact SUV GLA, which have been taking over the roads of Europe in the last few weeks.”

The company sold 76,587 vehicles in Europe in March (+7.6%). The main growth driver was the UK (+19.8%). On the German domestic market Mercedes-Benz was again the most registered premium brand in Germany with sales of 25,544 units (+1.0%).

In the USA, Mercedes-Benz has delivered 27,401 vehicles to customers (+11.2%) with record-high sales numbers in its biggest sales market both in March and for the entire first quarter, and particularly high growth rates for the S-Class.

The growth rates achieved by Mercedes-Benz in March were especially high in the Asian markets: In China (incl. Hong Kong), the company is continuing the sustained growth trend of recent months with sales of 24,937 vehicles (+34.0%). The E-Class long version from local production was in particularly high demand.

Mercedes-Benz posted new sales records in Japan as well: Since the beginning of the year, the brand with the star has delivered 17,807 units (+50.3%) and thus continues to be the most registered premium brand in Japan.

The compacts with the star are going forward with their positive development: In March, Mercedes-Benz sold 43,389 vehicles of the A-, B-, CLA- and GLA-Class (+26.4%). The compact SUV, GLA, which has been available at European dealers since mid-March, is winning new customers. The new C-Class also came on the market in March. The two models have proved to be crowd pullers: Alone during the weekend of their premiere, European dealers’ showrooms welcomed 500,000 visitors who tried out the new models in more than 22,000 test drives.

In the first quarter, Mercedes-Benz handed over 62,169 E-Class sedans and estate to customers worldwide (+38.0%). A fourth of the sedans are ordered as a long version. The E-Class coupe and convertible are posting double-digit growth rates at the start of spring.

Sales of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class totalled 24,144 units in the first quarter, or twice the units sold in the previous year’s period. The strong growth is also supported by the high demand in China, where Mercedes-Benz is selling every fourth S-Class.

The demand for the brand’s SUV is also unbroken: Customer deliveries came to 33,690 units in March alone (+9.6%), and a total of 81,397 vehicles were sold since the beginning of the year (+5.4%).

Since January 23,432 customers worldwide have opted for a smart fortwo (PY: 25,632 units). The compact two-seater is very popular mainly in big cities and is therefore also used for the station-independent car sharing service car2go. Since mid-March, 300 white and blue smart fortwo cars are ready and waiting for spur-of-the-minute rentals in Rome as well. car2go is thus now represented in 26 cities in Europe and North America.

Overview of sales by Mercedes-Benz Cars

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Let’s face it. As consumers, we’re presented with an overwhelming number of choices on a daily basis for every basic human need. Which toothpaste? Which cereal? Brown shoes or black? BBQ or Mexican for lunch? Most of these choices present little consequence in the grand scheme of things, posing very little risk and only a fleeting reward. However, some of the choices we as consumers face stand to greatly impact our lives. Such is the choice of one’s car.

Now, allow us to be a little presumptuous in assuming that if you’re reading this, you’re probably already a Mercedes-Benz loyalist. If not, welcome! Please continue reading so we can change that. For those of you who already own a Mercedes-Benz and are looking to upgrade, or those who are prospective first-time owners, allow me to present you with some exciting new choices.

I’ll start by saying what an exciting year it is to be a Mercedes-Benz dealer. With the launch of so many innovative new models, new motors and several major facelifts on the horizon, Mercedes-Benz is poised for a year to top all years.

Starting the roll out in style was the unveiling of the all-new 2014 S550 Sedan As if the world wasn’t already aware, with this beauty, Mercedes-Benz just solidified its place as the most respected automaker in the world. Unequivocally, the new S550 is the most impressive luxury sedan on the market.

But why stop there? The best of the best know never to rest on their laurels. So to one-up itself, Mercedes-Benz also introduced the sleek, stunning S550 Coupe By now, we can take for granted the beauty and elegance of any Mercedes-Benz, but this little powerhouse is also dripping with safety features that are bound to make Consumer Reports shake their heads. It’s no surprise the S550 Coupe has the Mercedes-Benz dealer body on the edge of their seats for its arrival, which is slated for later this year. It also has every car enthusiast licking their chops to put their hands on that steering wheel!

But the excitement doesn’t end at the Coupe. Other new models include the GLA-Class, sure to be a hit with the millennial generation, the CLS400 and the CLS550, while models such as the E-Class and SL-Class are getting entirely new motors and the C300 sedan, a complete redesign! Read back on some of my previous rantings here.

Feels kind of like being a kid on Christmas, doesn’t it? Too many toys to concentrate on one! But I’ll let you in on a secret. None of these are the wrong choice. There’s no such thing with a Mercedes-Benz. However, I want to be sure you’re getting the right car for you. Don’t be shy, stop by the dealership to learn more about any and all of the new Mercedes-Benz models. With designs this innovative, technology this impressive and motors this fuel efficient, you can bet our team at the store is excited to dazzle you with all the specifics.

So go ahead, I challenge you to find the Mercedes-Benz of your dream.

It goes without saying that Mercedes-Benz builds the most reliable cars, just look at the 1/2 a million mile G-Wagon and the quality of a Mercedes-Benz is evident.  But for those that need reassuring,  the latest Used Car Report compiled by expert inspection organisation DEKRA chose five Mercedes models best in their class.

A determining factor for the Used Car Report 2014 was the assessment of the reports compiled from the main inspections undertaken by the DEKRA test centres. According to these reports, the B-Class, E-Class and GLK-Class are all vehicles with the lowest number of defects in their respective categories. In addition, since the E-Class was voted the “Best of all Classes” and the B-Class “Vehicle of the Year”, Mercedes-Benz succeeded in securing five out of eleven top places – more than any of its competitors.

Winners in the individual vehicle classes

• Mini/small cars: Audi A1 (DFI: 96.4)
• Compact class: BMW 1 Series (96.8)
• Medium class: Volvo S60 / V60 (98.7)
• Upper medium class/upper class: Mercedes-Benz E-Class (97.4).
• Sports cars: BMW Z4 (97.2)
• SUVs: Mercedes-Benz GLK (95.0)
• MPVs: Mercedes-Benz B-Class (99.2).
• Small vans: Škoda Roomster (83.1)
• Vans: Renault Master (83.1)

Expand the press release below for complete coverage of the 2014 used car report by DEKRA.

Mercedes-Benz started into the new year with an increase in sales by 15.4%. Worldwide the company delivered 109,477 vehicles to customers, more than in any January before.

“After the record year in 2013 we are starting into another year of growth with strong products. Especially the E- and S-Class, which are very well received by our customers, will ensure that we continue on our growth course”, said Ola Källenius, Member of the Divisional Board Mercedes-Benz Cars responsible for Marketing & Sales. “The new generation of the C-Class will have its market launch in spring. And the GLA will win new customers for the brand as the first compact SUV from Mercedes-Benz.”

In Europe the brand increased sales by 5.9% to 40,830 cars and continued to gain market shares. In particular in Great Britain (+15.1%) and in Russia (+42.5%) the company was able to follow up on its sales successes of the previous year. Especially the compact cars provide for strong growth in Europe. In Germany the brand with the star delivered 13,595 vehicles to customers in January (+8.4%). With a market share of 9.2% Mercedes-Benz maintains its strong position from the previous year and continues to be the premium brand with the most new-car registrations in its home market.

The new year is also off to a good start for Mercedes-Benz in the NAFTA region: In the US, the brand’s largest sales market, Mercedes-Benz set a new record with sales of 22,604 vehicles (+0.5%), thus achieving market leadership once again. An increase in sales in Canada (+30.1%) also resulted in a new record.

In the Asia/Pacific region the company continued the positive trend from the previous year. Mercedes-Benz is still the best-selling premium brand among imported cars in Japan. In January the brand recorded an increase in sales of 73.4%. In China (incl. Hong Kong) Mercedes-Benz increased its car sales by 44.9%, in India by 54.0%. In the South Korean market the premium manufacturer even posted an increase of 89.5%.

Among the brand’s model series the compact cars bearing the star continued their highly positive sales development. In January the company sold 27,198 models of the A-, B- and CLA-Class (+32.1%). The compact car segment of Mercedes-Benz will be supplemented by the GLA compact SUV in spring 2014.

Mercedes-Benz also registered increasing demand for the models of the E-Class family: More than 20,000 vehicles of the sedan and estate models alone were sold in January, an increase by 32.0%. In particular the long-wheelbase version of the E-Class, which is produced in China for China, is especially popular.

The flagship of the brand, the S-Class sedan, sold 7,431 cars in January, representing an increase of 69.2% over the same month last year and a new sales record. The S-Class continued to be the world’s best-selling luxury sedan also at the start of the new year.

Mercedes-Benz bundles the brand’s coupes, cabriolets and roadsters under the name “dream cars”. In January 9,506 of these vehicles were delivered to customers. The SLK, the E-Class coupe and cabriolet and the CLS regularly top the lists of new-car registrations in their segments.

After the successful year in 2013 with sales that once more topped 100,000 units, the smart brand started into the year of the model changeover with sales of 6,511 vehicles (previous year: 7,285 units). With a market share of about 30% the smart electric drive was the market leader among all newly registered electric cars in Germany in 2013. The new generation of the city speedster will have its market launch in the fourth quarter as a two-seater and a four-seater.

Overview of sales by Mercedes-Benz Cars

Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) reported the highest January retail volumes in its history with sales of 24,413 units across the Mercedes-Benz, Sprinter and smart model lines, a 1.5% increase from the 24,059 vehicles sold the same month last year. The Mercedes-Benz brand alone achieved its best-ever January with sales of 22,604. Gains were made across the MBUSA brand portfolio as Sprinter Vans advanced 19.6% to 1,288 units and smart increased 8.3% to 521.

“We knocked it out of the park last year and are moving into 2014 at a record sales pace,” said Steve Cannon, president and CEO of MBUSA. “The product milestones will continue this year with an all-new entry point on the SUV side in the form of the GLA, the next generation C-Class and standout additions to our high-end and high-performance lineups.”

Mercedes-Benz January sales were led by the C-, E- and M-Class model lines. The sporty C-Class—the brand’s volume leader in 2013—came in first at 5,748 units, followed by the E-Class with sales of 5,266. The brand’s top selling SUV, the M-Class, rounded out the top three at 2,824 units.

At the high end, sales of the all-new 2014 S-Class flagship increased 36.6% to 1,281 from the 938 units sold in January 2013.

Sales of Mercedes-Benz BlueTEC diesel models hit 1,074 in January, an increase of 1.9% from the 1,054 units sold in January 2013. The company’s high-performance AMG models finished the month with sales of 846, increasing 70.9% compared to the same period last year.

Separately, Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned (MBCPO) recorded sales of 8,305 vehicles in January, an increase of 1.8% when compared to the 8,169 units sold in January 2013.