Mercedes Benz

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

Stuttgart, Germany, Mar 04, 2010

- Dr. Joachim Schmidt: “This sales result is the basis for strong sales in the first quarter and allows us to expand our market position for the full year.”
- Sales more than doubled in China for new sales record
- Sales of C-Class, E-Class, and S-Class increase

In February, Mercedes-Benz was once again able to continue its momentum of the past months, with sales increasing by 13 percent to 72,100 vehicles (February 2009: 63,600). As a result, the total number of deliveries has risen by 18 percent since the beginning of the year.


Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing, Mercedes-Benz Cars: “This sales result is thebasis for strong sales in the first quarter and allows us to expand our market position for the full year. We will get a boost from our competitive range of products – especially the new E-Class models – as well as from our growth in key regions such as China and the U.S.”

In March, Mercedes-Benz will be launching two new attractive products: The E-Class convertible and the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. Both vehicles will come to showrooms on March 27, giving sales further momentum. Dr. Joachim Schmidt: “The introduction of the E-Class convertible will complete the E-Class family, allowing us to be in an outstanding position with regard to our competitors. The great customer response to the SLS AMG even prior to its market launch shows how fascinating our brand is. In fact, orders are far above our expectations.”

In China, sales of Mercedes-Benz once again reached a record level: 7,300 passenger vehicles were sold, more than twice as many as in the same month last year (February 2009: 3,000). Dr. Joachim Schmidt: “No other premium brand saw sales increase as much in China. In 2010, we aim to sell more than 100,000 units in China.” In February, the pace of sales also picked up for Mercedes-Benz in Australia (plus 46 percent), South Korea (plus 177 percent), South Africa (plus 18 percent), Turkey (plus 63 percent) and Brazil (plus 23 percent).

In the U.S., Mercedes-Benz boosted sales by five percent last month, to 14,900 units (February 2009: 14,200 units). It has been the leading German premium brand in this market since the beginning of the year. Sales in Canada increased by 30 percent, to the record figure of 1,800 units (February 2009: 1,400).

Deliveries in Western Europe (excluding Germany) rose in February by 12 percent to a total of 18,000 vehicles (February 2009: 16,000). Contributing to this increase were high growth rates in the large markets of the UK (plus 48 percent), France (plus 13 percent), and Spain (plus 49 percent). In Germany, Mercedes-Benz gained market share in February through the delivery of 15,000 vehicles (February 2009: 15,900 vehicles; minus six percent).

The new E-Class continues to make a big contribution to the sales increases in the various markets. The sedan once again nearly doubled its worldwide sales to 13,200 vehicles, more than the competitors in its segment. The S-Class sedan saw sales rise in February by 18 percent. As a result, 4,000 units of the luxury sedan were handed over to customers. Mercedes-Benz also posted sales increases for other model ranges, with sales of the C-Class sedan rising by ten percent to 16,700 units. Mercedes-Benz boosted sales in the SUV segment by 18 percent to 12,700 units.

A total of 6,600 (January 2009: 8,600) smart fortwo were sold worldwide in February (minus 24 percent). The company expects sales of the smart fortwo to get a boost particularly from the market launch of the new-generation smart fortwo, which will start in the third quarter of 2010.

Overview of sales by Mercedes-Benz Cars

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