Mercedes-Benz posts best sales month in the company's history in March 2013

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Mercedes-Benz delivered 139,920 vehicles to customers in the month of March, more than in any previous month (+6.5%). Thus, first-quarter sales were 3.5% higher than in the same period of the previous year (324,898 units).Despite the difficult start of the European automotive market into 2013 that remained below expectations, Mercedes-Benz was able to keep the previous years’ level and to gain market shares in Western Europe. This was due to the great success of the new compact cars. In the same period, the brand with the star posted strong months particularly in the NAFTA region, Russia and Japan. Therefore, Mercedes-Benz was the most registered premium manufacturer in Japan and the USA as well as in Germany. In China, the first quarter was affected by the reorganization of the sales structures and the upcoming model changeovers. Among the model series, increases were posted in particular by the new compacts and the SUVs.

“Our sales developed very positively in March, so that we again topped the strong result of the previous year and have posted the best month in our company’s history to date. We have never sold as many vehicles in a single month“, said Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing. “With strong gains in the USA and in many new growth markets, we were able to balance out weakening European markets and the sales decrease in China and have posted yet another sales record in the first quarter.”

In the NAFTA region, Mercedes-Benz saw the strongest first quarter in the company's history with sales of 78,193 units (+11.3%). In the USA, 69,187 vehicles were handed over to customers since January (+12.5%), which makes Mercedes-Benz into the most frequently registered premium manufacturer since the start of the year. The company also achieved a new sales record in Mexico with growth of one fifth (+20.7%) compared to the same period in the previous year.

In the Asia/Pacific region, first-quarter sales were particularly strong in Japan (+12.4%), South Korea (+15.5%), Taiwan (+16.0%) and Australia (+37.2%). In Japan, no other importer of premium vehicles delivered more vehicles to customers than Mercedes-Benz. In China (incl. Hong Kong) sales went up in March (+5.4%), however, the first quarter was strongly affected by the reorganization of the sales structures and the upcoming model change-overs and thus lagged behind (45,440 units, p.y. 51,328 units). The initiated measures combined with the introduction of the new models are designed to ensure sustained profitable sales growth in the medium-term. On the Russian market, the positive sales trend continued: Here, Mercedes-Benz achieved a new sales record with 8,595 vehicle deliveries since the beginning of the year (+20.7%). The brand also posted an excellent first quarter in Turkey (+78.1%) and in the Middle East region (+9.9%).

Defying the strongly declining market (-7.9%), Mercedes-Benz managed to grow sales and gain market shares in Western Europe (without Germany), and posted a plus of 3.9% compared to the same period in the previous year with 81,219 units sold from January to March. The good result was attributable mainly to the growth in Belgium (+25.1%) and Great Britain (+13.3%). In the strongly regressive German market (-12.9%) Mercedes-Benz posted first-quarter sales of 53,144 units (p.y. 56,552 units), expanded its market share and thus maintained its position as the most registered premium manufacturer.

Among the model series of the Mercedes-Benz brand, the new compacts performed particularly well in the first quarter, with deliveries of 77,044 units to A-Class and B-Class customers from January to March (+49.4%). A week ago, Mercedes-Benz presented the purely electric version of the B-Class at the International Auto Show in New York. Customers in the USA will be able to order the B-Class Electric Drive from the autumn of 2013 onwards.

The SUVs with the star continued their satisfactory development with worldwide sales of 77,227 units in the first quarter (+30.6%). New sales records were posted by the GLK (+40.2), the GL (+33.5%) and the G-Class (+70.3%). The same applies to the M-Class (+27.6%) which, moreover, was the market leader in its segment worldwide.

The smart fortwo sold 25,632 times from January to March (p.y. 26,975 units). The compact runabout managed to dodge its life cycle effect, especially on the domestic market Germany and in Great Britain, and remained here constant at the previous year’s level in the first quarter.

Overview of global sales in March 2013

Credits: Daimler AG

Copyright © 2013, mercedesgla. All rights reserved.

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Mercedes-Benz Cars posts new global sales record in November 2012

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This past month Mercedes-Benz sold more vehicles than ever before in the month of November. With sales of 120,346 units the previous year's record was topped by 5.7%. Since January, Mercedes-Benz has delivered a total of 1,194,904 passenger cars (+5.1%) worldwide, which is also a new record. The Mercedes-Benz Cars division also set new sales records for November and the year to date. In the course of the year thus far, 1,291,287 units (+4.9%) of the brands Mercedes-Benz, smart and Maybach have been delivered.

Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing Mercedes-Benz Cars: "In November we posted a new sales record again. Shortly before the end of the year we thus continue on course to making 2012 the biggest-selling year in company history so far. I am particularly pleased about the favorable response to our new vehicles. Above all else the A-Class is trending excellently. The renewed recognition as Germany’s strongest car brand by the ADAC AutoMarxX is a great confirmation that Mercedes-Benz has set the right course for a successful future."

Mercedes-Benz sales are at an all-time high since the start of the year in all countries of the NAFTA region (279,675 units; +11.4%).

In the USA the brand with the star continues to be the premium brand with the most new registrations in 2012. Unit sales rose from January through November to a record level of 245,910 vehicles, an increase of 12.0%. Last month the high level of the previous year was topped by another 13.1% (30,315 units).

Mercedes-Benz is likewise since the beginning of the year, the premium manufacturer with the biggest number of new registrations in the domestic market, and according to the ADAC AutoMarxX study the strongest car brand in Germany. Despite the model changeover for the high-volume A-Class, so far 238,393 units of the brand were handed over to customers (+0.6%) this year. Thus, the previous year's high sales level was maintained. In November 24,365 vehicles (+0.2%) were sold. On the still declining Western European market (outside Germany), Mercedes-Benz again reports a very positive trend in November.

With 22,962 units sold, the brand achieved an increase of 6.1% and managed to gain additional market shares in almost all markets. The company achieved particularly high growth rates last month mainly in the United Kingdom (+9.9%) and France (+37.6%).

In China (incl. Hong Kong) 177,301 customers have opted for a new model from the Mercedes-Benz brand (+4.2%) since the start of the year. This marks a new sales record for the period. In November, however, sales in China were slightly down.

The brand with the star continued to post very positive results in Russia, South Korea and Japan. With increases of 26.9% and 6.9%, respectively, from January through November, sales in Russia and South Korea remained on a record course. In Japan unit sales rose during the same period by 23.8%. Thus, among the importers Mercedes-Benz is the premium brand with the most vehicle registrations in Japan.

Among the Mercedes-Benz model series, especially the compact car segment posted high growth rates. In November a total of 21,706 A- and B-Class vehicles were delivered to customers. That was 38.1% more than in the same month of the previous year. With the introduction of the new A-Class in further markets the company expects to get additional impulses for growth during the next few months.

Vehicles in the C-Class segment also continue to be popular. Since January sales have risen to 378,824 vehicles (+5.1%). The C-Class coupe is especially successful: in the year to date it nearly doubled its sales and is thus the top-seller in its segment. The same can be said of the S-Class sedan in the year before its model change. In year-to-date sales the S-Class segment posted growth of 5.0% (73,927 units).

With 27,732 units sold in November last years’ sales record in the E-Class segment was once again surpassed (1.9%). Demand for the SUVs from Mercedes-Benz ran particularly high again in the past month. With 29,722 units (+16.3%) sales in November rose to a new monthly high. So far in the overall year, sales in the SUV segment have also reached a new record high of 257,216 units (+16.1%). The new M-Class above all has sold outstandingly well to date in 2012. From January to November more than 100,000 models already were delivered to customers (+33.4%).

As in October the facelifted GLK (+45.9%) and the facelift of the G-Class (+108.3%) posted especially high growth rates last month. In November more units of the two vehicles were sold than ever before in this period.

With sales of 96,383 units (+2.2%), on the home stretch of the year smart is still on course to break the 100,000 unit sales mark also in 2012. In November the city runabout was especially popular with customers in the USA (+70.0%), China (incl. Hong Kong) (+16.7%) and Japan (+137.2%).

There was also another reason for the brand to celebrate in November. At the end of the month smart took the start with the biggest purely electric car2go fleet in Stuttgart. The capital city of Baden-Württemberg is thus the sixteenth city in which the mobility concept car2go is offered.

Overview of Sales by Mercedes-Benz Cars

Credits: Daimler AG

Copyright © 2012, mercedesgla. All rights reserved.

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„World Championship“ in passenger car After-Sales: Seventh Mercedes-Benz Global TechMasters with over 12,000 participants

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For the seventh time already the Mercedes-Benz Global TechMasters took place in Stuttgart from November 19 to 21. These are an international competition for workshop employees and service staff in Mercedes-Benz After-Sales. In total more than 12,000 employees from the global sales organization took part in the national prequalifying rounds. 96 National Champions from 16 countries qualified for this year's finals in the run-up to Global TechMasters. Based on their job profiles, the respective participants competed against each other in both practical and theoretical tests. In addition to the winners in the individual categories, the best workshop team was also chosen based on a complete run-through in the workshop. In 2012 they came from xx.
The winners in the individual categories:

- 1st place in the individual category "Certified Service Advisor": Japan

- 1st place "Certified Diagnostic Technician": Germany

- 1st place "System Technician - Powertrain": USA

- 1st place "System Technician - Driving Stability": Germany

- 1st place "Maintenance Technician": Russia

Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and head of the Mercedes-Benz Cars division, was a guest speaker as part of the Mercedes-Benz Global TechMasters. "Excellent service needs excellent employees - and we have them. This is proven by numerous independent studies in which our service receives top ratings year after year. With the Global TechMasters we ensure that this fact will remain so in the future. They are an important part of the qualification and motivation of our service teams worldwide - and finally to the success of Mercedes-Benz."

Competition serves to increase the attractiveness of service careers

The awards were handed out by Dr. Frank Reintjes, Head of Global Service & Parts, Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars, Vans, Trucks and smart: "This year, more than 12,000 employees from the global Mercedes-Benz organization took part in the Global TechMasters. That makes me proud and shows the significance that the event has for our employees. The competition increases the attractiveness of service careers around the world and contributes to constantly improving the level of quality in the service and parts business. We want to continue to live up to our brand promise 'The best or nothing' also in service in future.“

The Mercedes-Benz Global TechMasters

The Mercedes-Benz Global TechMasters are an international motivation and qualification program for Mercedes-Benz service employees with the organization of national competitions in more than 25 countries. Category-specific, alternating every year between passenger cars and trucks, up to 16 countries can take part in the finals of the Mercedes-Benz Global TechMasters in Stuttgart. The participants are determined in national prequalifying rounds. This year, the finalists hailed from Belgium, Brazil, China, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Canada, Portugal, Russia, Switzerland, Spain, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey and the USA.

The competition includes 4 test stations for each team. Every team comprises 6 participants including the team coach. Based on the career fields defined by the company in the Service & Parts unit, theoretical and practical tests as well as a skills circle and a non-technical team test were performed on November 20. In addition to theoretical know-how, the jury also tested the practical skills of each participant with regard to the respective job profile, e.g. Service Advisor or Diagnostic Technician, and assessed the direct communication with the customer. As part of a skills circle, the basic knowledge of the respective job profiles was challenged. Not only the individual participants were tested, however, as the competition also included the interaction within the teams.

The entire process from the service reception of a customer vehicle and the customer interview, the prediagnosis and repair to the handover of the vehicle to the customer was tested here. General questions about tools, products and processes in the service and parts business as well as about the culture and country-specific contact behavior of a Service Advisor rounded out the test. It was thus possible to determine the best national team in the world from among the National Champions. Furthermore, the jury chose the best technicians and Service Advisors in each case within the five individual disciplines.

In addition to the importance of the competition for outstanding customer care in everyday work as well as a high-quality and long-term further training, the Mercedes-Benz Global TechMasters show how the interaction works within a team characterized by diversity. Thanks to the best possible application of the skills of different team members, a culture of outstanding performance is actively experienced. In addition to the test part that the participants completed in one of the 11 native languages represented, they had copious opportunities to get to know their colleagues from other markets during the supporting program.

Mercedes-Benz Service and Parts

The Mercedes-Benz service and parts area is responsible for the entire service and parts business around the world for passenger cars, vans and trucks as well as smart in cooperation with dealers and company-owned sales and service outlets. The service business includes the service network with its over 5,000 service centers worldwide and the central service center for customer queries in Maastricht. The parts business includes parts marketing as well as the development of innovative part products and the parts logistics. The Mercedes-Benz offer in the service and parts business stands for individuality, appreciation, availability, partnership, competence and closeness.

Credits: Daimler AG

Copyright © 2012, mercedesgla. All rights reserved.

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Mercedes-Benz Cars Division Starts with Record Global Sales into the Fourth Quarter of 2012

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Following up on the record sales in the first three quarters, Mercedes-Benz posted a new sales record in October as well. With 109,632 vehicles delivered, the record of the same month in the previous year was topped by 6.0%. Thus, the brand has sold 1,074,558 vehicles (+5.1%) since the beginning of the year, which is also a new record.

The Mercedes-Benz Cars division likewise posted new record highs both in October and the year to date. Last month, the company delivered 118,609 units (+6.2%) of the Mercedes-Benz, smart and Maybach brands to customers. The total for January to October came to 1,162,519 vehicles (+4.9%).

Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing, Mercedes-Benz Cars: "With our sales record in October we have started successfully into the fourth quarter. Our new models, spearheaded by the new A-Class and B-Class, are giving us significant tailwind. We are expecting a new worldwide sales record for the full year as well. In our currently largest market, the U.S., we are on record course with high growth rates and can thus again secure our market leadership since the beginning of the year."

In Germany, Mercedes-Benz sold 23,270 vehicles in October. Thus, sales increased 3.0% compared to last year. The top favorites were the new compact models of the A-Class and B-Class, the M-Class and the facelifted GLK model. In the full year to date, sales in Germany are at 214,028 units (+0.7%). The brand thus remains marketleader on its domestic market since the beginning of the year.

In the remaining Western European market (without Germany), Mercedes-Benz posted strong sales in October. With deliveries of 22,543 new vehicles the brand recorded a plus of 7.4% – primarily also thanks to the first deliveries of the new A-Class. Thus, Mercedes-Benz could gain additional market shares almost everywhere in Western Europe. With 246,247 units recorded since the beginning of the year sales are slightly above the previous year's level (+1.0%). The brand with the star posted particularly high growth rates in October in France (+19.9%), Belgium (+26.0%) and Switzerland (+11.5%). With a sales increase of 10.7% since the beginning of the year, the company even posted a new sales record in the UK.

The development in the NAFTA Region continues to be very positive. In the U.S., Mercedes-Benz has sold 215,596 vehicles (+11.9%) since the beginning of the year, and 23,978 units in October (+5.9%) – both times a new record despite the hurricane “Sandy”. Mercedes-Benz is thus still the most sold premium brand in the U.S. in the year to date. The brand again achieved record sales in Mexico. In October alone, 27.4% more vehicles were handed over to customers than in the same month of the previous year.

In China (incl. Hong Kong), year-to-date sales rose by 5.5% to a new sales record of 160,425 units. The month of October with 15,895 units sold, was short of the very strong October sales in the previous year (p.y. 16,539 u.). With the full availability of the recently launched high-volume B-Class, the company expects additional momentumin the next months. The facelift of the GLK is already doing very well (+40.8%). The S-Class sedan remains market leader in China in the last year of its lifecycle. Additionally, the company is continuing its work on the development of a new sales organzation that will contribute to the long-term and sustainable development of
Mercedes-Benz in China.

Mercedes-Benz sales continued to develop very dynamically in Russia and Japan. In Japan, the company posted a sales increase of 24.6% since January. In Russia, Mercedes-Benz reached a new sales record with a plus of 26.4%. Also in Australia the brand registered a new sales record since the beginning of the year.

After the successful market launch of the A-Class in Europe and strong sales of the B-Class, the compact car segment showed a plus of 34.3% in October. Overall, 20,923 A-Class and B-Class vehicles were handed out to customers last month. Since the new A-Class is currently still in the start-up phase, the compact car segment will gain additional sales momentum in the coming months. In addition the A-Class will be launched in further important markets. In December, for example, in the UK. China and Japan will follow in the coming year.

At 344,036 units (+7.1%), sales in the C-Class segment have been developing very well in the year to date. Especially popular in October was the coupe as the top selling vehicle in its class. Since the beginning of the year it was already sold nearly 40,000 times. In the year before its facelift sales of the E-Class sedan were on the previous year’s level in October (-0.3%).

Strong growth rates were posted by the S-Class segment with a plus of 21.4% in October. Thus, deliveries for the year amounted to 67,548 units (+5.3%). The S-Class sedan, which is celebrating its naming anniversary this fall, continues to hold the pole position in its segment since the beginning of the year. The flagship of the Mercedes-Benz brand was given the name "S-Class“ for the first time exactly 40 years ago. The SUVs of the brand posted new sales records both since the beginning of the year and in October. With a plus of 16.1%, 227,494 units were delivered to customers since January. The total for October was 26,174 units (+22.6%). The demand was especially high for the facelifted GLK, which reached new highs both in October (+32.7%) and the year to date (+10.5%). The likewise facelifted G-Class, even doubled its sales, thus marking a new sales record last month. With an increase of 37.9% the M-Class is also at a new record high since the beginning of the year. Moreover, it is the top seller in its segment for the year to date.

Despite the continued difficult market environment in Southern Europe the smart sub-compact brand also developed positively in October. In the previous month, a total of 8,977 smart fortwo (+8.1%) were delivered to customers worldwide. Sales in the year to date are thus at 87,961 units (+2.4%). Therefore, smart is well on course to hold the good sales level of the previous year. The innovative two-seater posted particularly high growth rates in October in the USA (+205.2%), Great Britain (+37.3%), Canada (+70.4%) and Japan (+91.3%). The city runabout most recently ranked first among the sub-compact cars in the customer barometer of ADAC, which yearly measures drivers' satisfaction with their vehicle.

Mercedes-Benz Cars October 2012 sales at a glance

Credits: Daimler AG

Copyright © 2012, mercedesgla. All rights reserved.

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Setra extends internet presence

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Even more service and interaction. Parallel to the world premiere of the new ComfortClass 500, Daimler's Setra brand has extended its internet presence. In addition to the latest information about all current models, the user can find out everything they want to know about the bus ideas of the future at www.setra-bus.com. Visitors to the website can learn all about the new ComfortClass 500 touring coaches in all facets and details with the aid of extensive info blocks and visual camera tours.

Information tailor-made to fit users' needs

Using the country and language choice, you can now click on the twelve country versions for Belgium, Denmark, France, Greece, Italy, Norway, Austria, Poland, Romania, Sweden, the Netherlands and Switzerland. Spain and the Czech Republic are currently in preparation. Users in each country of distribution can thus access information adapted precisely to the relevant country. Here you can find contacts quickly and easily, you can study vehicle technical details, download brochures and read in depth about the new ComfortClass 500 series.

For Till Oberwörder, Head of Marketing, Sales and After Sales at Daimler Buses, the extension of the website with the new Setra logo is an important step towards more transparency and openness: "Everything worth knowing about the brand is now better adapted to the needs of the European bus companies, journalists, partners and friends of the Setra family."

Credits: Daimler AG

Copyright © 2012, mercedesgla. All rights reserved.

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Mercedes-Benz Cars posts global sales records in September and Q3 2012

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Mercedes-Benz has achieved a new sales record, both for the month of September and for the third quarter. The 123,358 units delivered during the month topped the September 2011 record by 2.0%.

In total, the company sold 312,001 units in the third quarter (+1.1%). At 964,926 vehicles (+5%) delivered, sales of the brand were likewise at a new record high for the year to date.

The Mercedes-Benz Cars division also set new sales records for September and the year to date. The company sold 132,606 (+2.4%) Mercedes-Benz, smart and Maybach brand vehicles during the month. Total sales for the first three quarters of 2012 marked a +4.7% increase over the record volume achieved in the same period last year (1,043,910 u.).

Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing, Mercedes-Benz Cars: “Despite numerous model changeovers and the difficult market environment in Southern Europe, we sold more vehicles than ever before in September and the third quarter. Thus we are still on track to achieve a new sales record for the year as a whole. We expect further momentum in the fourth quarter, especially from our new models. In particular, the response to our new A-Class has been excellent and we already have about 70,000 orders. Our facelifted GLK and the new M-Class and B-Class are also extremely popular.”

Mercedes-Benz continues to be the premium brand with the highest unit sales in the U.S. in 2012. Also in September, the U.S. market was one of the key drivers behind Mercedes-Benz’ positive performance. In total, 23,156 vehicles were delivered to their new owners (+7.0%). Thus, the sales posted for the month of September and the year to date (191,618 u., +12.7%) were the company’s highest ever on the U.S. market. The same applies to Mexico and Canada.

Besides the countries of the NAFTA region, the brand with the star also set new sales records for September and the first three quarters of 2012 in China (incl. Hong Kong) and Russia.
Mercedes-Benz’ September sales in China amounted to16,806 units (+10.0%), raising the total number of passenger vehicles delivered since January to 144.530 units (+6.7%). In Russia, the company grew its year-to-date sales by around 25%.

The brand with the star continued to post extremely positive results in Japan and the Middle East region, where sales surged by 24.5% and 19.9% in the first nine months of the year. For the Middle East region, with a sales increase of 31.7%, September even was the best-selling month ever.

In Germany, Mercedes-Benz’ year-to-date sales are on previous year’s level (190,758 u., +0.4%). In mid-September, the new A-Class celebrated its European market launch. With 700,000 visitors, this was the most successful dealer premiere of all times. About 70,000 orders have already been placed and will be delivered successively, from now on. In September, Mercedes-Benz delivered a total of 22,566 passenger cars to the German market (prior year: 24,514 u.), the top sellers being the new B-Class and new M-Class, as well as the facelifted GLK. The GLK even had its best September sales ever in Germany.

On the Western European market (without Germany), the Mercedes-Benz brand delivered 33,929 vehicles in September (+1.6%) despite the difficult market situation in Southern Europe markets. Thus, year-to-date sales are on the previous year’s level (+0.3%). The brand’s performance in UK came as a pleasant surprise once again in September with 16,500 vehicles sold and 14.0% growth, which was a new record for this month. In France, where the 2012 Paris Motor Show was getting underway, the strong demand for the company’s models continued into September (+7.0%). A key theme of Mercedes-Benz’ presentation at this year’s Motor Show is “green mobility.” Highlights include the world premiere of the SLS AMG Coupe Electric Drive, the world’s fastest electrically-powered, serially produced vehicle, and the new Concept B-Class Electric Drive.

While the B-Class Electric Drive will be brought to market in 2014, the new B-Class with combustion engine continued its success story in September with 14,722 new customers. This is not just a new record, it is also almost three times the sales result of September 2011 (+180.2%). Last month also marked the B-Class’ first sales milestone: Since its market launch in November 2011, more than 100,000 units of the B-Class model series have been sold. The M-Class, for its part, was able to pass the same milestone in September as well.

Vehicles in the C-Class segment also continue to be popular. Total sales since the start of the year have grown by 8.9% (312,072 u.) over the same period last year. The flagship of the brand, the S-Class sedan, has been in the top spot in its segment since the beginning of the year. In the S-Class segment, growth in year-to-date sales for 2012 amounted to +3.9% (61,294 u.). The new SL was a big hit again in September with a nearly sixfold increase in sales of the sporty roadster (+466.9%).

The high demand last month also continued for the Mercedes-Benz line of SUVs, where the sales record for the month set last year was topped by a further 30.7%. As in August, the most significant growth drivers were the facelifted models of the GLK (+48.3%) and the G-Class (+32.7%), as well as the new M-Class (+57.7%). For both, the GLK and the M-Class this was the best September of all time for sales. In addition, the M-Class was the market leader in its segment worldwide. The brand’s SUVs also set a new record for year-to-date sales with a total of 201,320 units (+15.3%).

The smart fortwo model also recorded positive growth in September. With 9,248 units delivered sales of the innovative two-seater city runabout increased by 8.9%. Particularly strong growth came again from the U.S. (+119.6%), China (incl. Hong Kong) (+18.3%), Canada (+153.9%) and Mexico (+45.3%). Year-to-date and September sales hit new records in China and Mexico.

Thus, the smart is well on its way to repeating last year’s solid sales performance with a total of 78,984 vehicles delivered to customers in the first three quarters of 2012 (+1.8%).

Mercedes-Benz Cars sales at a glance

Credits: Daimler AG

Copyright © 2012, mercedesgla. All rights reserved.

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Daimler Trucks – A true, Global Player

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“As global as possible, as local as necessary”: It is along this principle that Daimler’s commercial vehicles division has been expanding its presence around the globe. Operating at full speed in both the traditional and the new markets thanks to its “Global Excellence” approach, the world’s largest truck manufacturer is optimally prepared for global competition. The Daimler Brand Evening in the context of the IAA press days in Hanover exemplifies this in an impressive way.

At the media presentation of its brand and product range, Daimler Trucks will not only be showing Mercedes-Benz, Freightliner and Fuso brand trucks, but will – for the first time in Europe – also jointly exhibit commercial vehicles from all BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, China) markets. For Russia, the company will be presenting a semi-trailer tractor from the Russian partner Kamaz (Kamaz 5490 HDT). The company’s presence in India will be highlighted by a BharatBenz brand vehicle (BharatBenz 4928 HDT). The Chinese engagement will be represented by an Auman truck (Auman GTL) produced by Beijing Foton Daimler Automotive Co. Ltd. (BFDA). The global brand and product line-up will be completed by an Actros produced by the plant in Juiz de Fora, Brazil (Mercedes-Benz Actros Brazil 2655 LS).

Market-tailored products within a global network

“Daimler Trucks is a ‘global player’ through and through – and not simply a European manufacturer that is internationally active”, summarizes Andreas Renschler, the Daimler Board of Management member responsible for Daimler Trucks and Daimler Buses, on the occasion of the press event. In saying this, Renschler is referring to Daimler Trucks’ broad brand range that systematically includes local know-how and that reflects country-specific needs.

At the same time, the commercial vehicles manufacturer, operating at 27 production sites worldwide, is exploiting considerable economies of scale through a multi-brand modular strategy. For example, the light and medium-duty BharatBenz trucks are based on the Fuso Canter and Fuso Fighter series, while the heavy-duty trucks of Daimler’s Indian brand are based on the Mercedes-Benz Axor platform. The engine series OM 457 also exemplifies the world-wide application of technological know-how. Currently used in commercial vehicles in Europe and Latin America, the engine will also be launched in China as of 2013. “Our global orientation, our platforms and our production network are our crucial competitive advantages”, explains Renschler. “In addition, our worldwide presence is an answer to the cyclical nature of our business because we can effectively balance market fluctuations.”

Growing demand in the “modern domestic segment”

In its international engagement, Daimler Trucks particularly focuses on the major growth markets of Russia, India, and China. All of these markets show a rapidly growing demand for trucks from the so-called “modern domestic segment”. The segment reflects the customers’ increased need for high-quality vehicles that are also cost-effective. By 2020, it is expected to account for more than half of the global market for medium- and heavy-duty trucks.

The case of Russia underlines that Daimler Trucks is well prepared for these dynamics. In co-operation with its strategic partner Kamaz, the commercial vehicle division is penetrating the Russian truck market, and thus the largest truck market in Europe. Daimler AG and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development together hold 15 percent of the shares of Kamaz. In addition to the joint ventures Mercedes-Benz Trucks Vostok (MBTV) and Fuso Kamaz Trucks Rus. (FKTR), a licensing agreement from June 2012 contributes to the market exploitation. The agreement between the two partners seals the delivery of Mercedes-Benz cabs to the Russian truck maker and underpins how Daimler technology supports the modernization of the Russian truck brand Kamaz.

Since this year, the Indian truck market has been redefined by BharatBenz, a brand that was specifically created for the Asian country. Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV), a wholly owned subsidiary of Daimler AG, opened its state-of-the-art production site in Chennai in April this year, and will start to deliver the first heavy-duty trucks still this month. By 2014, the product range will be expanded to a total of 17 BharatBenz models, covering all weight segments from six to 49 tons GVW.

In China, BFDA picks up speed. The 50-50 joint venture between Daimler and Foton, one of the largest Chinese truck manufacturers, has been producing Auman brand trucks since July 2012. In the first half of 2013, BFDA will also begin to build a new engine plant at its headquarters in Beijing’s Huairou district, for which it will invest around €135 million.

“Global Excellence” also focuses on traditional markets

Despite the dynamics in the growth markets, the triad will stay Daimler Trucks’ home market; NAFTA, Japan and Europe will continue to account for a large part of the business. In fact, the “Global Excellence” approach, which has served as the guiding principle for the company’s long-term strategic development, promotes the further exploitation of these markets. Innovations in the areas of fuel efficiency, safety, and aerodynamics provide suitable answers to increasingly stringent environmental and emissions regulations. Not only are these innovations reducing fuel consumption and the total cost of ownership for customers. They are also contributing to boost society’s acceptance of commercial vehicles.

About Daimler Trucks

Daimler Trucks is a division of Daimler AG. It is the world’s largest globally operating manufacturer of trucks with a product range of unparalleled breadth in almost all countries worldwide. The division comprises the five truck brands Mercedes-Benz, Freightliner, Western Star, Fuso, and BharatBenz, as well as the U.S. school bus brand Thomas Built Buses. Its global production network encompasses 27 locations. In 2011, Daimler Trucks sold approximately 426,000 vehicles worldwide, and earned revenues of €28.75 billion with a total workforce of more than 77,000 employees. The division has achieved extensive synergies with the creation of a multi-brand development network, a global powertrain production system, and a worldwide procurement organization.

Credits: Daimler AG

Copyright © 2012, mercedesgla. All rights reserved.

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Mercedes-Benz posts record global sales for the first half of 2012

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Mercedes-Benz remains on track for success, posting a new sales record for the first half of the year. From January to June, a total of 652,924 vehicles (+6.9%) were sold. In June, with 121,542 units sales were slightly above previous year’s record level (+0.9%).

The first two quarters of 2012 also witnessed the highest-volume sales for the Mercedes-Benz Cars division in the company’s history. During the first six months of the year, the company sold 708,517 units (+6.5%) of the brands Mercedes-Benz, smart, and Maybach, with the month of June accounting for 131,139 of these vehicle sales (+0.2%).

Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing, Mercedes-Benz Cars: “Despite difficult market conditions in Southern Europe, we remain on course for record sales, and with a growth in sales of 6.9 percent in the first half of the year we have achieved the best sales results so far. Over the next few months, the market launch of the new A-Class in particular will provide a further boost to sales. This means we are well on track this year to surpassing the 2011 sales record. Also in June, Mercedes-Benz sales were slightly above previous year’s high level.”

The strongest driver of the positive trend in Mercedes-Benz sales in the first six months of the year was the U.S. market, where the company posted a new record with 128,595 passenger cars delivered (+15.9%). This makes Mercedes-Benz the premium brand with the highest number of new vehicle registrations in 2012. Besides the U.S., there were also extremely positive trends in the other NAFTA region markets. New sales records were set for the year to date in Canada (15,944 u., +9.9%) as well as in Mexico (3,431 u.; +28.1%).

Besides the NAFTA region markets, Mercedes-Benz also sold more vehicles between January and June than ever before in China (including Hong Kong) as well as in Russia. A total of 99,391 units (+7.8%) were delivered to customers in the Chinese market, while in Russia the growth in sales was 27.6%. The brand with the star also performed strongly in Japan, where sales for the first half of the year were up by 27.5%. Thus, Mercedes-Benz ranks number one among premium manufacturers on the Japanese market.

In Germany, Mercedes-Benz has been the most successful premium brand concerning new vehicle registrations since the beginning of the year. Over this period, the company has sold 128,529 passenger cars (+4.5%) on the domestic market.

In the western European region (without Germany), Mercedes-Benz in the first half of the year sold a total of 155,555 units in the face of declining market trends, and thus gained market shares. Despite the difficult market conditions, sales were therefore on previous year’s level (+1.1%). The brand continued to sell exceptionally well in the United Kingdom, where a new sales record was set with an increase in sales of 11.4%. The same applies to Switzerland, with a growth in sales of 35.9% for the first half of the year.

The B-Class remains a top seller among the different model series. More vehicles were sold in the month of June and over the first half of the year than ever before in these periods. Last month alone, the growth in sales was 42.9% (14,629 u.), while 68,950 units (+9.7%) have been sold since the beginning of the year.

The vehicles from the C-Class segment were also key growth drivers in the first half of the year, with a growth in sales of 14.9%. Additionally, the C-Class models celebrated a sales jubilee in June: as of last month, more than two million customers are enjoying driving a sedan, estate, or coupe model from the new model series. Furthermore, the C-Class coupe and the SLK were the top-selling vehicles in their segments in the first half of 2012.

In the E-Class segment, the CLS scored top marks with strong sales figures. Between January and June, deliveries of the four-door coupe increased by 38.9%. Therefore, the CLS also topped sales in its competitive segment. The same is true for the S-Class sedan, which also posted higher sales figures in the first half of the year. Since the start of the year, 37,539 units of the brand’s flagship model have been sold (+4.4%). Thus, as in the previous year, the S-Class once again was the top-selling model in its segment. Meanwhile, the new SL is still generating a very positive response from customers. Sales of the sporty roadster rose by +78.7% in the first half of the year compared to the same period last year.Mercedes-Benz SUVs remain on the track to success. The record sales figures from 2011 were surpassed both for June and for the first six months of the year. Results were supported by high growth in sales, for example with the M-Class (+32.7%), the G-Class (+18.5%), and the GL-Class (+7.2%). Last Friday saw the market launch of the next-generation GLK. This model series and the new G-Class, which will be launched in the next few months, as well as the completely new GL-Class, will positively influence brand sales even further over the rest of the year.

smart is still on track to maintaining its good sales level from last year. A total of 55,593 units (+1.4%) of the city runabout were handed over to customers in the first half of 2012, with the figure for June at 9,597 vehicles. The innovative two-seater achieved a particularly strong growth in sales between January and June in the U.S. (+85.8%), China (including Hong Kong) (+59.3%), and Mexico (+23.9%). At the same time, the sales figures in China and Mexico set new records for the first 2012 half-year. Another notable development was the increase in sales of the smart fortwo last month in the U.S., where shipments of the model more than tripled (+208.2%).

Overview of Sales by Mercedes-Benz Cars

Credits: Daimler AG

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