“We are continuing the positive sales trend in May as well“, said Dr Joachim Schmidt, Executive Vice President Mercedes-Benz Cars Sales and Marketing. “We are posting solid increases in many markets in Europe and Asia, as well as in the USA, at a time, when the new E-Class and the CLA are just entering the big markets.“
Mercedes-Benz delivered 57,759 vehicles in Europe in May (+4,9%) and thus gained market shares in all big markets. The main sales drivers were the UK (+17.3%) and the growth markets Russia (+13.8%) and Turkey (+93.9%). In the home market of Germany, which is generally declining (total market -9.9%), Mercedes-Benz grew its market share to over 9% and with sales of 22,382 vehicles successfully defended its top position as the most registered premium manufacturer (prior year 23,610 units).
In the USA, the Mercedes-Benz brand again posted a new record with 24,713 vehicles sold in May (+9.8%) and maintained its rank as the top-selling premium manufacturer since the beginning of the year.
In the Asia/Pacific region, Mercedes-Benz established itself as market leader among importers in Japan with unit sales growth of 60.4%. Business was also good in China (incl. Hong Kong): With sales of 17,684 units Mercedes-Benz posted a plus of 7.0% in May, thus continuing the positive trend of the previous months.
Among the model series, business increased, primarily due to the compacts with the star, with May deliveries of 31,770 vehicles of the A-Class and B-Class, as well as the new model CLA (+65.6%). In early May, the compact coupe was voted as “Germany’s Most Beautiful Car“ by readers of the automotive magazine “Auto Bild“. After winning the award with the new A-Class last year, Mercedes-Benz is now the all-around winner of this renowned beauty contest for the fifth consecutive time.
The “dream cars“ of the Mercedes-Benz brand are also in particular demand. The brand uses the term to bundle its coupe, convertible and roadster model series, which not only dominate the brand image but at more than 10% also contribute a significant share of car sales. Overall, about 70,000 “dream cars“ have been handed over to customers since the beginning of the year. In doing so, Mercedes-Benz achieved a market share of about 50% compared to its German core competitors.
Mercedes-Benz has achieved a market share of around 50% for coupes, convertibles and roadsters in the premium segment.
The SUVs with the star continued to build on their success in previous months with May deliveries of 25,710 vehicles from the SUV segment to customers (+14.5%). Since January the M-Class sold 18.6% units more than in the previous years’ period and thus continues to maintain its leadership in the segment worldwide.
Mercedes-Benz celebrated the world premiere of the new S-Class in mid-May. The flagship of the brand was showcased to around 750 international guests from politics, business and the media on the runway of the delivery center of the Airbus 380. With its top levels of safety, comfort, luxury and efficiency the S-Class is generally acknowledged as the technological guiding star of automotive development and the epitome of state-of-the art luxury sedans. With over 500,000 vehicles sold, the predecessor S-Class series have enjoyed great popularity since their market launch in 2005. The new S-Class will celebrate its premiere at dealers in Germany in July.
The compact two-seater smart sold 43,052 units worldwide since the beginning of the year (prior year 45,996 units). In particular in the UK and Japan, the city runabout managed to win many new customers in its seventh year of availability as well.
Credits: Daimler AG
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