Top March 2013 Sales of 24,646 Vehicles Take Mercedes-Benz to Highest First Quarter Ever at 69,187 Units

Don't Copy From This Blog...

Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) today reported the highest first quarter sales volume in its history. March was another record month with sales of 24,646 for its Mercedes-Benz models, a 6.5% increase over March 2012, resulting in year-to-date sales of 69,187, up 12.5%. Combined sales of Mercedes-Benz passenger vehicles, smart and Sprinter for the month totaled 27,104, up 6.3%, and year-to-date up 12.4 % at 75,214.

"We're coming out of our highest first quarter on record—and that's before launching a single new product," said Steve Cannon, president and CEO of MBUSA. "With completely redesigned E-Class models arriving at dealerships, a next generation S-Class and a new entry point for the brand—the CLA—in the wings, we're looking at our strongest year on record."

Mercedes-Benz March sales were driven by the C-, E-, and M-Class model lines. The sporty C-Class – the current gateway to the brand on the car side for younger and first-time Mercedes-Benz buyers – took the lead, posting sales of 8,396, up 32.4%. The 9th generation E-Class followed with sales of 4,009 and MBUSA's top-selling SUV, the M-Class, rounded out the top three with sales of 3,501. At the high-end, strong performers were the company's flagship S-Class, which saw 24.0% growth, and the SL-Class, which increased 790.5% over March 2012.

On a year-to-date basis, the top performers again were the C-Class with 22,912, the E-Class with 13,689 and the M-Class with 9,162.

The Sprinter model line also continued its record sales streak in March with 1,529 vans sold – up 11.2% over last year and up 22.5% on a year-to-date basis, while the company's smart brand recorded sales of 929 vehicles.

Sales of the high-performance AMG models were 631 for the month and sales of the company's BlueTEC diesel models finished the month at 1,640, up 2.4% over the same period last year.

Separately, through the Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned (MBCPO) program, MBUSA sold 8,670 vehicles in March; an increase of 24% when compared to March 2012 (sales of 6,994 vehicles). On a year-to-date basis, MBCPO sold 24,370 vehicles, an increase of 22% over the comparable period (with sales of 19,924 vehicles).

Mercedes-Benz USA March 2013 Sales Chart

Credits: Mercedes-Benz USA

Copyright © 2013, mercedesgla. All rights reserved.

Read More

Mercedes-Benz USA February 2013 Sales Hit Record High at 24,051 Units

Don't Copy From This Blog...

Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) reported today sales of 24,051, a 22.2% increase over the 19,679 vehicles sold in February 2012 making it the highest volume on record for the month. The Mercedes-Benz model line alone achieved its highest February numbers with sales of 22,040, up 21.9%. On a year-to-date basis, the 48,110 vehicles sold represent a 16.2% increase.

"We're building on January's momentum to bring us to a record first quarter," said Steve Cannon, president and CEO of MBUSA. "The auto industry's on the up and we're ideally positioned to take advantage of the strengthening market. With the strong product cadence we have mapped out for the year, we'll continue bringing new buyers to Mercedes-Benz while offering an expanded palette for our existing owners."

Mercedes-Benz February sales were fueled by the C-, E-, and GL-Class model lines. The sporty C-Class – the gateway to the Mercedes-Benz brand for younger and first-time Mercedes-Benz buyers –was the volume leader posting sales of 7,302, up 39.4%. The 9th generation E-Class followed with sales of 4,211 and the much acclaimed GL-Class rounded out the top three with sales of 2,800, up 77.8% compared to February 2012.

At the high-end, February sales increased as well with the S-Class up 16.4% and the SL-Class up 353.1% when compared to the same period last year.

The Sprinter model line also continued its momentum marking a record month with 1,228 vans sold, a 48.0% increase from February 2012, while smart recorded sales of 783 vehicles, up 1.8% for the month.

Sales of the high-performance AMG models were 497 for the month and sales of the company's BlueTEC diesel models finished the month at 1,251.

Separately, through the Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned (MBCPO) program, MBUSA sold 7,541 vehicles in February; an increase of 26.0% when compared to February 2012 (sales of 5,985 vehicles). On a year-to-date basis, MBCPO sold 15,700 vehicles, an increase of 21.4% over the comparable period (with sales of 12,930 vehicles).

Mercedes-Benz USA February 2013 Sales Chart

Credits: Mercedes-Benz USA

Copyright © 2013, mercedesgla. All rights reserved.

Read More

Mercedes-Benz USA January 2013 Sales Soar to Highest on Record at 24,059 Units (plus 2013 Super Bowl TV advertisement)

Don't Copy From This Blog...

Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) reported today sales of 24,059, a 10.7% increase over the 21,726 vehicles sold in January 2012 making it the greatest year start in the company's history. The Mercedes-Benz model line alone marked its highest January numbers with sales of 22,501, up 10.8%.

"We've set another record this January and are breaking into 2013 at a strong sales pace," said Steve Cannon, president & CEO of MBUSA. "It's a historic time for the brand with product milestones that will drive our momentum. Our new CLA, the star of our Super Bowl ad (see below) this weekend, will reset the entry point. Stay tuned as product innovations continue throughout the year with the introductions of our completely redesigned E-Class and new generation of our flagship S-Class."
Strong demand for both the Mercedes-Benz passenger vehicles and SUVs fueled sales for the month with the sporty C-Class – the gateway to the Mercedes-Benz brand for younger and first-time Mercedes-Benz buyers – as the volume leader posting sales of 7,214, up 10.6%. The 9th generation E-Class followed with sales of 5,469 and the versatile M-Class rounded out the top three with sales of 2,928.

For January, sales at the high-end increased as well with the S-Class up 19.5% and the SL-Class up 290% when compared to the same period last year.

The Sprinter model line started the year strong with sales of 1,077 for the month, a 16.6% increase from January 2012, and smart recorded sales of 481 vehicles.

Sales of the high-performance AMG models were 495 for the month and sales of the company's BlueTEC diesel models finished the month at 1,054.

Separately, through the Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned (MBCPO) program, MBUSA sold 8,159 vehicles in January; an increase of 17.5% when compared to January 2012 (sales of 6,945 vehicles).

Credits: Mercedes-Benz USA

Copyright © 2013, mercedesgla. All rights reserved.

Read More

Mercedes-Benz USA Hits Its Highest-ever U.S. Volume with Sales of 305,072 Vehicles

Don't Copy From This Blog...

Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) today reported its highest year on record with 305,072 vehicles sold in 2012, representing a 15.4% increase over the 264,460 vehicles sold during the same period in 2011. The Mercedes-Benz model line alone also recorded a record year with sales of 274,134 for the year, up 11.8%. Smart and Sprinter model lines both achieved their highest volumes under the MBUSA umbrella with smart sales increasing 92.2% to 10,009 while a record month for Sprinter took the brand to 20,929 for 2012, an increase of 26.3%.

"A strong product offensive backed our retail network's commitment to providing a world-class ownership experience put the wind at our back and enabled us to outperform the market and take the brand to new heights in the U.S.," said Steve Cannon, president & CEO of MBUSA. "We're going to ride that momentum into 2013 with new products across the entire model line from entry point to flagship."

For December, the Mercedes-Benz product line alone posted sales of 28,145 vehicles (up 9.5% from 25,701 in December 2011) bringing MBUSA sales to a best-ever 31,372, up 12.0% from the 28,006 vehicles sold in December 2011.

Strong sales were recorded across the model line. The sporty C-Class – the gateway to the Mercedes-Benz brand for younger and first-time Mercedes-Benz buyers – recorded its highest year on record with sales of 81,697, up 17.9% over its year-to-date volume in 2011. The 9th generation E-Class followed with sales of 65,171, and the M-Class, MBUSA's top-selling SUV, rounded out the top three with sales of 38,101.

For December, sales at the high-end increased as well, with combined sales of S-, CL- and SL-Class vehicles increasing 18.9% percent to 17,416 (when compared to the 14,650 vehicles sold in 2011).

Separately, sales of Sprinter Vans increased by 39.9% for the month with sales of 2,231 compared to the 1,595 vehicles sold in December 2011.

Sales of the smart fortwo totaled 996 vehicles in December, up 40.3% for the month (compared to the 710 vehicles sold in December 2011).

Sales of the high-performance AMG models were 6,658 for the year a 27.5% increase of the 5,220 vehicles sold over the same period last year.

Sales of the company's BlueTEC diesel models were up 7.4% for the year at 15,416 compared to the 14,358 diesels sold in 2011.

Additionally, through the Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned (MBCPO) program, MBUSA sold 6,949 vehicles in December; an increase of 13.7% when compared to December 2011 (sales of 6,112 vehicles). On a year-to-date basis, MBCPO sold 80,380 vehicles, an increase of 7.8% over the comparable period (with sales of 74,571 vehicles).

Mercedes-Benz December 2012 Sales Chart

Credits: Mercedes-Benz USA

Copyright © 2013, mercedesgla. All rights reserved.

Read More

Mercedes-Benz USA Posts All-time Record with November 2012 Sales of 32,649 Units

Don't Copy From This Blog...

Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) today reported an all-time sales record with November sales of 32,649 for combined sales of Mercedes-Benz, smart and Sprinter models, up 15.6% and delivering a record year-to-date total of 273,622 up 14.5%. The Mercedes-Benz model line alone recorded its highest November on record with sales of 30,315 for the month, up 13.1%, and 245,910 for the year up 12.0%.

"As the post-storm rebuilding gets underway, we're seeing a strong sales pace for the industry at large which will carry MBUSA to its highest year on record," said Steve Cannon, president and CEO, MBUSA.

Mercedes-Benz sales for the month of November were led by the C-, E- and M-Class model lines. The sporty C-Class – the gateway to the Mercedes-Benz brand on the car side for younger and first-time Mercedes-Benz buyers – took the lead with sales of 8,565, up 2.5%. The 9th generation E-Class followed with sales of 8,126 up 59.5%. MBUSA's top-selling SUV, the M-Class, rounded out the top three with sales of 3,894. Additionally, the sporty SLK roadster sold 427 vehicles for the month, up 107.3%.

At the high end, the all-new iconic sixth generation 2013 SL roadster – which debuted in showrooms this past spring -- posted sales of 573, an increase of 625.3% over last November.

On a year-to-date basis, top performers were again the C-Class with 73,940, the E-Class with 58,187 and the M-Class with 33,860.

Sales of the high-performance AMG models were up 30.8% for the year at 6,176 compared to the 4,721 vehicles sold over the same time last year.

Sales of the company's BlueTEC diesel models were up 7.9% for the year at 13,738 compared to the 12,727 diesels sold over the same period last year.

The company's smart brand continued thirteen consecutive months of sales increases. November sales of 704, were a 70.0% increase over November 2011 (414), bringing the year-to-date volume to 9,013, up 100.4% when compared to the 4,498 vehicles sold last year.

On the van side, Sprinter had a strong month with 1,630 vehicles sold in November, up 56.0% over last year and up 24.8% on a year-to-date basis.

Separately, through the Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned (MBCPO) program, MBUSA sold 7,113 vehicles in November; an increase of 28.6% when compared to November 2011 (sales of 5,530 vehicles). On a year-to-date basis, MBCPO sold 73,431 vehicles, an increase of 7.3% over the comparable period (with sales of 68,459 vehicles).

Mercedes-Benz November 2012 Sales Chart

Credits: Mercedes-Benz USA

Copyright © 2012, mercedesgla. All rights reserved.

Read More

USA F1 Grand Prix 2012: Race Report - Lewis Hamilton achieves a brilliant victory at Austin

Don't Copy From This Blog...

LEWIS HAMILTON
- MP4-27A-04
- Started: 2nd
- Finished: 1st
- Fastest lap: 1m39.709s (+0.362s, 5th)
- Pitstops: One: lap 20 (2.39s) [Opt-Pri]
- Points: 190 (4th)

"I’m massively proud and extremely happy. I nearly lost my voice because I was screaming so much on the in-lap – not cool at all!

"To overtake both Red Bulls in the race was the coolest thing for me. The backmarkers really came into play today – and, finally, they worked in my favour. I’ve often been caught out when I’ve been trying to get through traffic, but things finally went my way today.

"When Seb [Vettel] was delayed by a backmarker, I knew I had to grab my chance, so I turned the engine up to maximum revs and pushed like crazy. Along the back-straight I went to the to the outside, but Seb closed the door, so I moved to the inside, and he came back towards me. I was very lucky. It was very close.

"What made the difference today between Seb and me? I wanted it more, that’s what!

"I won the last United States Grand Prix, in 2007, so, to come back and win it again – in front of such a great crowd – feels very special indeed. There are a couple of grands prix that are somehow out on their own: there’s Monaco, Silverstone, Montreal, Spa and Monza. Now you can this circuit to that list – it’s already one of the best racetracks in the world, maybe even right up there in the top three.

"It’s a brilliant feeling to be finishing the season on a high. Hopefully, we’ll go to Brazil next week with the same level of performance – I’d love to win my final two races for Vodafone McLaren Mercedes."

JENSON BUTTON
- MP4-27A-03
- Started: 12th
- Finished: 5th
- Fastest lap: 1m40.150s (+0.803s, 6th)
- Pitstops: One: lap 35 (2.90s) [Opt-Pri]
- Points: 163 (6th)

"Starting on the dirty side of the racetrack was very tough – I ended up 15th by the end of the first lap. So fifth was probably the best result I could have had. I had a lot of fun this afternoon, and fought a lot of good battles on my way through.

"There was lots of action and lots of overtaking – and most of it was very clean, which was good to see.

"Obviously, however, fifth place wasn’t the result I’d have ideally liked, but the car was working really well, and, with a better grid position, I could definitely have been right up there. Still, big congratulations to Lewis and the whole Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team.

"It was great to race in front of so many fantastically enthusiastic American fans – they looked like they really enjoyed themselves. Before we arrived here, we knew we were going to have to put on a good show, and I think we did just that. There was action and suspense all the way through, which is exactly what you need to create a great sporting spectacle.

"I really hope the US will now embrace Formula 1 at last."

MARTIN WHITMARSH
Team principal, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes

"Today was a brilliant day for Lewis Hamilton, a brilliant day for Vodafone McLaren Mercedes, and a brilliant day for Formula 1.

"From the dirty side of the track, Lewis made a very good start but was nonetheless unsurprisingly passed by Mark [Webber], whose P3 grid slot had afforded him appreciably better traction off the line than Lewis had enjoyed from P2. But Lewis quickly caught and passed Mark, and then set about closing the gap to Seb.

"Their battle was long and intense, two great drivers at the top of their form, their cars never more than a few metres apart and often almost nose to tail, but, when Lewis made his move, he made it beautifully. From that moment onwards, try as Seb might to mount a counter-attack, Lewis was in supreme command: right on the limit yet in total control, the man of the match at his brilliant best.

"As for Jenson, he drove an excellent recovery race, handicapped as he had been by a throttle pedal problem in yesterday’s qualifying session that had prevented him from qualifying better than 12th. And worse was to come: at the start of the race he was boxed in by several other cars, dropping further places immediately. Thereafter, however, he drove hard and well, climbing all the way up to fifth position at the chequered flag, having managed his tyre wear superbly at the same time as pulling off some extremely gutsy overtaking moves: 10 world championship points extremely well earned.

"Lewis’s victory was Vodafone McLaren Mercedes’ sixth grand prix win of the 2012 season and McLaren’s 12th grand prix win on United States soil. It goes without saying that we’re utterly thrilled to have won in Austin here today – just as we were absolutely delighted when we won the last United States Grand Prix, in 2007, at Indianapolis.

"I’ve already said that today was a brilliant day for Lewis Hamilton, a brilliant day for Vodafone McLaren Mercedes, and a brilliant day for Formula 1. But, just as important as any of that, I believe it’s fair to say that it was also a brilliant day for motorsport in the United States. The Austin racetrack is a magnificent one, and today it staged a wonderful motor race. The city of Austin has welcomed us and our sport, and on behalf of everyone at Vodafone McLaren Mercedes I want to extend our friendship and gratitude in return.

"Next weekend we’ll be in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and you may be well sure that Lewis and Jenson will be doing their utmost to record Vodafone McLaren Mercedes’ seventh win of the 2012 season over the daunting bumps and turns of the famously serpentine Interlagos circuit. But we’re already looking forward to coming back to Austin next year, and putting on another truly great show, on a truly great racetrack, in a truly great city, in a truly great country.

"Until next year, then, that’s all folks!"

~ Official photos and report courtesy of Vodafone McLaren Mercedes ~

Copyright © 2012, mercedesgla. All rights reserved.

Read More