Mercedes-Benz Starts Convertible Season with a Sales Milestone

Muamer Hodzic June 15, 2007

Sales for convertibles and roadster models from Mercedes-Benz are posting impressive results: A total of 400,000 units of the current Mercedes-Benz SL and SLK roadster models and the CLK convertible have been sold to date. In the roadster segment, Mercedes-Benz is the worldwide market leader with the SL and the SLK.

The compact second-generation SLK-Class roadster alone has been sold to about 162,000 customers all over the world since its market launch in March 2004. With a total of 480,000 deliveries, the SLK is the best-selling premium roadster ever. The open two-seater is especially popular in Germany, where the SLK has a market share of around 55 percent in the roadster segment. More than half of the SLK customers throughout the world chose an SLK 200 Kompressor.

Ever since the world-famous 300 SL gull-wing coupe made its debut more than 50 years ago, Mercedes-Benz SL-Class sports cars have been among the world’s most fascinating and sought-after automobiles. The current SL-Class is the fifth generation to continue this tradition. About 133,000 enthusiastic customers have been delighted by its sophisticated design, pioneering technology, outstanding comfort and all-around driving pleasure. The most important market for the Mercedes-Benz roadster in the luxury segment is the U.S. The SL 500, which is chosen by approximately two thirds of SL customers, is by far the most popular model in the series.

Sales of the CLK-Class convertible already reached the 105,000 mark. Like the coupe, the open version of the current CLK series continues to be very popular. Demand for the CLK convertible is especially high in Germany and the U.S. First place on the list of best-selling variants goes to the CLK 350 with seven-speed automatic transmission as standard equipment, which accounts for about 40 percent of sales in the series.