Mercedes-Benz Car Group Posts Record Sales in First Nine Months of 2007

Nedzad October 5, 2007

Sales of the Mercedes Car Group rose seven percent in September to the record level of 124,600 units (September 2006: 116,000). Deliveries of the brands Mercedes-Benz, Maybach and smart also increased to a record 942,300 units over the first three quarters of 2007 (January – September 2006: 934,200). A total of 114,100 vehicles from Mercedes-Benz were delivered to customers in September 2007, an increase of seven percent from September 2006 (106,500). The brand with the star also posted a new record for the first nine months of the year by delivering 872,700 units, up three percent from the same period last year (January – September 2006: 846,300).

Following its sales release in all markets, the new C-Class continues on its road to success: Mercedes-Benz delivered 30,800 C-Class sedans last month, nearly double the 15,800 units delivered in September 2006. C-Class sales are expected to gain additional momentum over the next few months through the station wagon that was presented for the first time in September at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt as well as through the introduction of small and fuel efficient engine variants.
The new smart fortwo also continues to receive a very positive response from customers: The two-seater achieved a new sales record in September with deliveries to customers of 10,500 units, which represents an increase of 93 percent from September 2006 (5,400). Despite the focus on one model, overall sales for the entire smart brand were up eleven percent in September.
The Mercedes-Benz brand posted sales growth in all regions in September. Deliveries of vehicles in the U.S. rose 13 percent to the record level of 22,500 units (September 2006: 19,900). Mercedes-Benz also posted record sales in the Asia/Pacific region by selling 14,300 units, nine percent more than in September 2006 (13,100). Despite ongoing market difficulties, growth in Germany in August carried over to last month as well, with deliveries to customers rising to 28,700 units (September 2006: 28,300). With 39,200 units, Mercedes-Benz also recorded its highest level of sales ever in Western Europe (excluding Germany) last month, up three percent from the 37,900 passenger vehicles sold in September 2006.