OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
- Dr. Joachim Schmidt: “We can look back on an extremely successful year so far. The positive development continued in November, causing our sales to grow at a double-digit rate for the 13th month in a row. The German market played an important role in driving our growth, with sales increasing by more than one fifth.”
- “We continue to be confident for the remaining weeks of the year and will fulfill our forecast to grow by at least ten percent with Mercedes-Benz passenger cars this year.”
- Sales increase in the U.S., continued dynamic growth in China and the other BRIC countries
- Growth in all product segments - high demand for the new CL and R-Class
Stuttgart, Germany, Dec 03, 2010 – The pace of Mercedes-Benz sales continues to increase, with 105,200 customers (November 2009: 88,600) buying one of the brand’s vehicles in November. The figure is 19 percent higher than in the same month last year and the highest sales result ever for the month of November. This means that Mercedes-Benz once again recorded strong growth compared to the same month last year, even though sales had grown again in November 2009 following the crisis, particularly in the U.S. Since January, Mercedes-Benz has delivered a total of 1,059,600 passenger vehicles worldwide (January-November 2009: 914,700), representing an increase of 16 percent.
Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing Mercedes-Benz Cars: “We can look back on an extremely successful year so far. Mercedes-Benz continues to grow in all regions and our products are coveted worldwide. The positive development continued last month. We posted the best November sales figure in our company’s history and increased sales at a double-digit rate for the 13th month in a row. The German market played an important role in driving our growth, with sales increasing by more than one fifth. We continue to be confident for the remaining weeks of the year and will fulfill our forecast to grow by at least ten percent with Mercedes-Benz passenger cars this year.”
In Germany, Mercedes-Benz was once again the undisputed Number One premium brand in November. Although the market continued to decrease (minus six percent), Mercedes-Benz sales rose by 22 percent, so that 27,700 vehicles (November 2009: 22,800) were handed over to customers. As a result, the brand was able to boost its market share substantially to 11,2 percent. In Western Europe, the brand with the three-pointed star delivered 50,900 vehicles (November 2009: 45,700), representing an increase of 11 percent.
Last month, Mercedes-Benz also continued to benefit from strong demand in China (incl. Hongkong). Says Dr. Schmidt: “We continue to develop at a dynamic pace in China, where we are growing faster than our competitors in the premium segment. That’s why we were able already in November to achieve our target of selling more than 120,000 vehicles in China this year.” Sales for the first 11 months of the year add up to 130,100 units, which is more than twice as much as between January and November 2009 (up 114 percent). Sales increased by 68 percent in November, to the record figure of 14,600 units (November 2009: 8,700). The brand is also growing in the other BRIC countries: Brazil (up 49 percent), India (up 84 percent), and Russia (up 76 percent). Within the Asia/Pacific region, the South Korean market continues to post dynamic growth, with sales of Mercedes-Benz vehicles rising to a record level (1,600 units/up 47 percent). In South Africa, the brand sold 1.800 units (plus 18 percent).
In the U.S., Mercedes-Benz grew in November by eight percent to 18,200 units (November 2009: 16,800). As a result, sales for the year to date total 196,300 passenger vehicles (January-November 2009: 170,400), representing an increase of 15 percent. This development has enabled Mercedes-Benz to gain market share in the country during the year to date. In Canada, the brand also posted another record month, where sales rose to 2,400 passenger vehicles (plus 15 percent).
Mercedes-Benz recorded growth in all product segments in November. The competitiveness and appeal of the brand’s product range is demonstrated by the worldwide market leadership of vehicles such as the E-Class sedan and station wagon since the start of the year and by the high growth rates of new products like the CL (up 63 percent) and the R-Class (up 37 percent). Sales of the S-Class have risen by more than one fourth since January, with 59,700 customers opting for the luxury sedan (plus 27percent). The E-Class sedan and station wagon were successful by increasing sales during the same time period by 48 percent (229,800 units). The C-Class sedan also remained the market leader in its segment during the year to date, with sales rising by 10 percent. Sales in November alone increased by 16 percent. The C-Class estate achieved another record last month, with sales growing by 39 percent. SUV sales also rose to a record level (20,700 units/up 32 percent). Growth drivers besides the R-Class included the GLK (up 41 percent) and the GL (up 50 percent). The compact cars from Mercedes-Benz once again met with a good customer response in November, with sales of the A and B-Class increasing by 15 percent to 21,200 units.
A total of 7,100 smart fortwo were delivered in November (November 2009: 9,800 units, minus 27 percent). Sales for the year to date total 89,900 units (January-November 2009: 107,000, minus 16 percent). The smart fortwo expanded its market position in many countries this year, including Italy, France, and Germany. In Germany, November marked the ninth time in a row that the fortwo was the best-selling car in its segment, which declined by 32 percent overall. Sales of the smart fortwo are being affected by sharp declines in its market segment, particularly in the major smart markets of Italy, Germany, and France. The company expects to sell around 100,000 units of the smart fortwo in 2010.
Overview of sales by Mercedes-Benz Cars
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