Mercedes-Benz passes mark of one million cars sold already in July 2015

Mercedes-Benz handed over 149,753 vehicles to customers in July (+15.2%). New sales records were set both in the month of July and in the first seven months of the year (1,048,178 units, +14.7%). This was due in particular to strong sales of the C-Class and the compact cars of the brand with the three-pointed star.

�We passed the one-million mark already in July. Never before have we delivered so many cars to customers in the first seven months of a year. About a quarter of them are C-Class Saloons and Estates,� says Ola K�llenius, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, responsible for Mercedes-Benz Cars Marketing & Sales.

In Europe, Mercedes-Benz once again posted a new sales record: 457,468 vehicles were handed over to customers in the first seven months of the year (+11.3%). Sales in Germany of 156,569 units since the beginning of the year were above the prior-year level (+6.0%). In July, Mercedes-Benz sold 24,178 vehicles in Germany (+7.8%), thus defending its market leadership amongst the premium manufacturers in the home market. Mercedes-Benz is the market leader also in Portugal. A new sales record was achieved in Great Britain, the second biggest European market of the brand, in July.

In the NAFTA region, strong demand for cars with the three-pointed star is unbroken: 31,483 units were delivered to customers in the United States, Canada, and Mexico in July (+3.9%), thereof 27,526 in the USA (+1.2%). In all three countries, sales records were set in and per July. In Canada, Mercedes-Benz is the market leader amongst the premium manufacturers.

In the Asia-Pacific region, a new record level was reached per July with sales of 332,377 vehicles (+23.5%). Growth in the month of July was even stronger at a rate of 30.8% to sales of 47,838 units. In China, 29,540 vehicles were sold in July, representing an increase of 41.5% compared with the same month of last year. Unit sales reached new record levels also in Japan, South Korea, and Australia last month. In Japan and Australia, Mercedes-Benz continues to be the market leader amongst the premium importers.

July was another strong month for the compact cars of Mercedes-Benz, with sales of 49,973 units of the A- and B-Class, CLA, CLA Shooting Brake, and GLA (+33.0%). The CLA set a new sales record in both July and the first seven months of the year.

Sales of the C-Class Saloon and Estate increased last month by 83.1% to the record figure of 36,287 units. In the Asia-Pacific region, unit sales of the two models more than tripled compared with the same month of the previous year. In the C?Class segment, Mercedes-Benz offers its advanced hybrid technology for both the Saloon and the Estate. Demand for the C 350 e has been rising since it was launched this spring.

The E-Class Saloon posted a new sales record in China in the first seven months of the year. China is the biggest sales market of the model.

The S-Class maintains its position as the world�s best-selling luxury saloon. Per July, 58,478 units were handed over to customers (+1.2%). Growth was especially strong in South Korea in July.

As a result of globally strong demand for Mercedes-Benz SUVs, unit sales of those models increased in July by 14.8% to a total of 39,197 vehicles. The GLA and the G-Class set new sales records per July. Demand for the GLK is at an ongoing high level even just before the market launch of its successor model.

Since the beginning of this year, 71,451 smart fortwo and smart forfour were sold (+31.5%) on a global level. In Germany and Italy, growth of the city runabout increased by more than 50% in that period. In China, the brand�s third biggest market, the new smart fortwo is available at the dealers since August. In the USA, the new generation will be launched in September.

Overview of sales by Mercedes-Benz Cars

Credits: Daimler AG

Copyright � 2015, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

Mercedes-Benz USA July 2015 Sales Hit All-Time High of 27,526 Units

Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) today reported record July sales for the Mercedes-Benz brand at 27,526, increasing 1.2% from the 27,192 vehicles sold during the same month last year. Sprinter delivered 2,163 sales for the month of July, combining with 441 units at smart for a monthly total of 30,130 for MBUSA. On a year-to-date basis, Mercedes-Benz retails totaled 192,496, up 7.7%. Adding year-to-date sales of 15,697 for Sprinter Vans and 4,065 for smart, MBUSA posted a grand total of 212,258 units through July.

"We are seeing strong momentum in the marketplace as we move through the third quarter," said Stephen Cannon, president and CEO of MBUSA. "This will increase as our SUV product offensive continues with the GLE and GLE Coupe, and the all new GLC later this year."

July sales for the Mercedes-Benz brand were led by the C-, E- and M-Class model lines. The C-Class took the top spot with 6,384 units, up 12.0% from the same month last year. The E-Class followed with July sales of 4,893, while the M-Class rounded out the top three at 3,851.

Mercedes-AMG high-performance models posted a 7.3% monthly sales increase to 931 units in July, while year-to-date sales climbed 7.6% to 6,979. Sales of Mercedes-Benz BlueTEC diesel models hit 571 for the month and 8,065 year-to-date.

Separately, Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned (MBCPO) models delivered July sales of 9,669, up 6.1% from the same month in 2014, with a year-to-date total of 68,543.

Mercedes-Benz USA July 2015 Sales Chart

Credits: Mercedes-Benz USA

Copyright � 2015, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

Mercedes-Benz USA Sales Jump 22.5% in July for Seventh Record Month of 2013

Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) today reported July sales of 26,423 units, an 18.5% boost over the 22,294 units sold in July 2012. Retail volumes at Mercedes-Benz reached 23,648 for the month�gaining 22.5% over the previous year�while year-to-date sales hit an all-time high of 165,598 units. Sprinter Van sales totaled 1,915, combining with 860 units sold at smart to bring MBUSA's grand total to 182,315 vehicles year-to-date. This makes July the seventh consecutive month of record-breaking sales at MBUSA for 2013.

"July delivered double-digit gains for both our passenger cars and light truck offerings, as our sales momentum shows no signs of slowing down," said Steve Cannon, president and CEO of MBUSA. "We have two major product launches�one at the high-end and one at the entry�around the corner. This will be a banner year for the brand, bringing a whole new level of quality and innovation to Mercedes-Benz and the luxury market."

Mercedes-Benz saw growth across its product portfolio, with July's top sellers comprised of the C-, E- and M-Class model lines. The sporty C-Class�the current gateway to the brand for younger and first-time Mercedes-Benz buyers�was the volume leader at 7,604 units for the month, up 34.3% from July 2012. The E-Class was a close second at 5,605, up 10.1%, while sales of MBUSA's top-selling SUV, the M-Class, soared 72.7% from the 1,790 units sold in July 2012 to 3,092.

The Sprinter model line, which receives a comprehensive redesign for the 2014 model year arriving this fall, posted sales of 1,915 for the month, while smart volumes grew 10.3% to 860 vehicles sold.

Sales of Mercedes-Benz's BlueTEC diesel models were 879 for July while the company's high-performance AMG models finished the month with sales of 464.

Separately, through the Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned (MBCPO) program, MBUSA sold 7,976 vehicles in July, an increase of 22% when compared to July 2012 (sales of 6,519 vehicles). On a year-to-date basis, MBCPO sold 56,980 vehicles, rising 24% over the comparable period (45,938 vehicles) in 2012.

Mercedes-Benz USA July 2013 Sales Chart

Credits: Mercedes-Benz USA

Copyright � 2013, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

From 20th July 2013 at dealers: The new Mercedes-Benz S-Class makes its appearance

With its three development priorities of "Intelligent Drive", "Efficient Technology" and "Essence of Luxury", the new S-Class is broadening technical horizons at many levels. As was the case with each previous generation, customers expect the new S-Class to set standards in every respect � and to earn for itself once again the accolade of "The best car in the world". From 20th July, customers will be able to experience the new S-Class 'live' at their local Mercedes-Benz dealership.

"The S-Class is the technological spearhead not only of Mercedes-Benz but of automotive development per se. And has been for decades. This is why the S-Class is also the world's best-selling luxury vehicle", emphasised Dr Joachim Schmidt, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Cars responsible for Sales and Marketing. "Even before the official market launch we have received 20,000 orders. With this enormous interest in the car I am certain that the success of the S-Class will continue."

The new S-Class has already been the recipient of several awards in the Automotive Brand Contest 2013: both the exterior and the interior design were given the accolade "Best of Best". The Automotive Brand Contest is organised by the well-known "Rat f�r Formgebung" (Design Council).

Perfection to the last detail: new ideas, painstakingly implemented

Perfection down to the last detail creates "The Essence of Luxury". These efforts to achieve the very best possible can be seen, for example, in the vehicle interior: Whether the seats or the air conditioning, whether operation or design, whether infotainment or rear-seat comfort and safety � new ideas, their painstaking realisation and the very highest perceived quality underline the expectations of the engineers for the Mercedes-Benz flagship model � and for themselves.

The same applies to safety: what began with PRE-SAFE� ten years ago and continued with DISTRONIC PLUS is now leading to a new dimension in driving. Comfort and safety have blended into one. Mercedes-Benz calls this "Intelligent Drive". A large number of new systems make the new S-Class even more comfortable and safe.

The efficiency with which the S-Class drives sounds almost utopian: by implementing "Efficient Technology" Mercedes-Benz has for example, within the space of ten years, almost halved fuel consumption in the 150 kW output category to 4.4 litres per 100 kilometres. The drag coefficient of the S-Class improves on its predecessor once again, setting the new benchmark in its segment at Cd = 0.24. Thanks to further detailed aerodynamic improvements, the S 300 BlueTEC HYBRID will even better these figures and achieve a new best at Cd = 0.23. The new model is also the first car worldwide to dispense completely with light-bulbs, for example � it only has LEDs. This too points the way to the future.

The drive system: class-leading efficiency in every output category

In its first year the new S-Class line-up features two hybrid versions, one petrol model and a diesel variant: S 400 HYBRID, S 500, S 350 BlueTEC and S 300 BlueTEC HYBRID. All models boast class-leading efficiency and up to 20 percent lower fuel consumption than the outgoing model series. All the engines already meet the requirements of the Euro 6 emissions standard. In addition to this, the S 400 HYBRID and S 350 BlueTEC meet the strict criteria of efficiency class A, while the S 300 BlueTEC HYBRID even has an A+ rating.

"The new S-Class achieves consumption and emissions figures that only a few years ago would have seemed utopian even in the intermediate class", says Professor Thomas Weber, Member of the Daimler Board of Management responsible for Group Research and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars Development. "And this is just the start of our 'Green Leadership' initiative: soon to be followed by the S 500 Plug-In HYBRID � the first S-Class with fuel consumption lower than four litres per 100 kilometres." The S-Class line-up therefore for the first time now includes the full range from petrol and diesel models to petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrids.

Model data at a glance:

The concept: the best of two worlds

For the first time in the history of the S-Class, the development focus was on the long-wheelbase saloon. In a change from the previous approach, the version with a standard wheelbase was derived from this. This strategy takes account of the fact that the S-Class's clear positioning as a prestige saloon does not only apply in the overseas markets such as the USA, China or Japan. Whereas in Europe and North America, owners of an S-Class are frequently behind the wheel themselves, in Asia the flagship in our passenger car portfolio is very clearly a chauffeur-driven car. The logical consequence of this is a whole range of new features to enhance comfort and safety in the rear of the vehicle � in the S-Class, passengers seated in the rear are very definitely sitting in the best seats just as much as those in the front.

Prices at a glance, incl. 19% VAT:

Over 3.5 million customers and numerous awards

Over 500,000 models from the last S-Class model series have been delivered to customers around the world since its launch in September 2005, meaning that this S-Class sold even better than the previous generation. Since the launch of the 220 model that laid the foundations for the S-Class model series, Mercedes-Benz has delivered more than 3.5 million of these vehicles to customers all around the world.

The most important innovations at a glance

Assistance systems

- DISTRONIC PLUS with STEER CONTROL and Stop & Go Pilot

- BAS PLUS with Cross-Traffic Assist

- Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus

- Night View Assist Plus

- Active Lane Keeping Assist

- 360� camera

- Active Parking Assist with PARKTRONIC

- PRE-SAFE� PLUS for protection in the event of a rear end collision

- PRE-SAFE� Brake with pedestrian detection and urban braking function
Safety

- Belt buckle extender (active belt buckle)

- Adaptive airbag configuration (Active Vent)

- Beltbag for outer rear seats

- PRE-SAFE� impulse

Sound

- Frontbass

- Burmester� High-End 3D Surround Sound system

Chassis and suspension

- Magic Body Control

- AIRMATIC with variable damper control

Drive system

- Hybrid for diesel engines

Telematics

- COMAND Online (NTG 5)

- Individual Entertainment in the rear

- Mercedes-Benz COMAND control app for the iPhone�

Boot

- HANDS-FREE ACCESS

Seating comfort

- First-Class rear suite (including thermo-cupholders)

- EASY ADJUST luxury head restraint (folding and removable on the front passenger side)

- Luxury head restraint

- Executive seat on front passenger side with leg rest

- ENERGIZING massage function

- Seat climatisation / reversible seat cooling

- Chauffeur position for front passenger seat

Climatic comfort

- Perfuming

- Ionisation

- Armrest heating (Panel Heating)

- Pre-climatisation for hybrids

Light and Sight

- First car to use only LEDs for lighting

- MAGIC VISION CONTROL

- Ambience lighting (extended choice of seven colours)

Credits: Daimler AG

Copyright � 2013, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.