Mercedes-Benz increases sales worldwide by 22 percent in August, posting double-digit growth for the tenth month in a row

Stuttgart, Germany

Dr. Joachim Schmidt:

* Dr. Joachim Schmidt: “We expect sales to continue to develop favorably in the coming months as well. Worldwide, our goal is to achieve double-digit growth at Mercedes-Benz in full-year 2010.”
* Mercedes-Benz bucks the trend in the rapidly contracting German market by boosting sales by 17 percent
* Sales in the BRIC countries grow at a high double-digit rate
* Mercedes-Benz posts growth in all segments
* World premiere of the second-generation CLS-Class at the Paris Motor Show

Sales of Mercedes-Benz vehicles continue to increase. In August, the brand posted double-digit growth for the tenth month in a row. Sales were up by 22 percent, and deliveries to customers around the world amounted to 81,000 units last month (August 2009: 66,200). Since the beginning of the year, Mercedes-Benz has now sold 735,400 passenger cars, an increase of 16 percent from the figure recorded during the same period in 2009.

“The growth recorded by Mercedes-Benz in August marks a continuation of the current positive trend,” says Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing, Mercedes-Benz Cars. “We boosted sales in nearly all the regions we operate in and also posted strong growth in August in Germany, which is our biggest sales market. We expect sales to continue to develop favorably in the coming months as well. Worldwide, we want sales at Mercedes-Benz to grow at a double-digit rate in full-year 2010.” The brand’s growth continues to be driven primarily by the E-Class and S-Class, as well as by sales increases in China and the U.S. “We will be presenting a further highlight of our product range at the Paris Motor Show, where we will present the all-new generation of our styling icon, the CLS. The car will set new standards, thanks to its fascinating design, comprehensive range of safety features, and the new, fuel-efficient V6 and V8 BlueDIRECT gasoline engines.”

Mercedes-Benz recorded sales growth in its three main markets of Germany, the U.S., and China in August. Developments were particularly pleasing in the brand’s largest market, Germany. Here Mercedes-Benz bucked the overall downward trend (minus 27 percent) with a significant increase in sales of 17 percent, leading to total deliveries of 15,800 passenger vehicles to customers last month (August 2009: 13,500). The E-Class, the E-Class coupe, the C-Class, and the smart fortwo all had the largest number of new vehicle registrations in their respective segments in Germany.

The United States remains the second biggest market for Mercedes-Benz, and thus a key contributor to the brand’s sales success. Sales in the U.S. rose ten percent last month, leading to customer deliveries of 18,800 units (August 2009: 17,100). Year-to-date unit sales for Mercedes-Benz in the U.S. now total 139,900 vehicles, up 18 percent compared with the same period last year (118,400). This result makes Mercedes-Benz the best-selling German premium brand in the country since the beginning of the year. Mercedes-Benz posted record sales of 2,100 vehicles in Canada, an increase of five percent compared to August 2009.

Mercedes-Benz also continues to perform well in the BRIC markets. The brand more than doubled its sales in China (incl. Hong Kong), achieving a 113 percent increase to 13,400 passenger vehicles (August 2009: 6,300). Sales growth in Brazil totaled 48 percent, while the brand increased its sales in Russia by 63 percent and in India by 91 percent. An extremely dynamic increase was recorded in the South Korean growth market, where Mercedes-Benz boosted sales by 188 percent to 1,600 vehicles. Sales in Japan were up 12 percent. A total of 23,000 customers purchased a car with the star throughout the entire Asia/Pacific region in August (up 73 percent).

Mercedes-Benz’ unit sales in the entire region of Western Europe increased eight percent to 29,000 vehicles last month (August 2009: 26,900). Significant increases in the region were recorded by the UK (up 37 percent), the Netherlands (up 46 percent), Sweden (up 45 percent), and Denmark (up 96 percent).

The E-Class and S-Class model series were the engines of growth once again in August, with sales of the E-Class sedan and estate increasing by 38 percent. While sales of the E-Class sedan rose by 25 percent to 15,700 units, sales of the estate almost quadrupled in August compared to the same month last year (up 286 percent). A total of 5,100 customers bought an S-Class sedan (August 2009: 3,600), representing an increase of 41 percent.

The C-Class also recorded sales growth in August, with 18,900 C-Class sedans delivered to customers (up 21 percent). A total of 4,400 estates from the current C-Class model series were also delivered in August (up 27 percent). The SUV segment also posted growth, with sales totaling 14,500 units (up 13 percent). The GLK recorded deliveries of 6,200 units, an increase of 35 percent on the figure for August 2009.

The A-Class and B-Class also performed well in August, with deliveries increasing by 18 percent to 12,100 units.

A total of 5,800 smart fortwo were sold last month (August 2009: 7,000) representing a decrease of 18 percent. However, the company expects demand for the innovative two-seater to pick up again, when the new generation of the smart fortwo will be launched on the market on October 2nd.