January 10, 2002

Mercedes-Benz top-selling luxury brand worldwide

Stuttgart, Germany - Mercedes-Benz posted a new all-time sales high of 1,113,000 vehicles in 2001, a growth of 6% from the previous year. Mercedes-Benz is celebrating its 6th consecutive year of record-sales.

Professor Jürgen Hubbert, member of the Board of DaimlerChrysler, responsible for Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars and smart said, "The Mercedes-Benz boom continued throughout 2001 because we were able to offer the youngest, most comprehensive and technologically advanced line-up in the luxury segment. With an average age of 2.6 years, a total of 15 models and cutting-edge technology we were able to convince more customers than ever of the qualities of a Mercedes-Benz."

The C-Class was 2001's rising star. With a boost in sales of 30%, Mercedes-Benz was, for the first time, able to sell more than 500,000 vehicles in this product range. Sedan sales were 281,600 and the new variants introduced in 2001 were equally successful. With sales of 52,600 vehicles, the all-new C-Class Wagon achieved one of the best results ever. The C-Class Sports coupe, a new member of the Mercedes-Benz model range, turned out to be a hot-seller with 59,000 cars sold in its first year.

The Mercedes-Benz S- and E-Class continue to be the global market leaders in their respective market segments. With a market-share of over 50%, the company sold more than 106,400 cars of the S-Class model range. The top-of-the-line CL coupe proved exceptionally successful with sales of 10,700 cars. Helped by the high availability of the new SL, 2000 sales were exceeded by 32%. In its first three months in the market, the new SL was shipped to more than 5,300 customers. In January 2002, the SL 500 was awarded the title "Car of The Year 2002" by Robb Report, one of the leading magazines on luxury lifestyle.

Even in its last year of production, the current E-Class managed to outshine competition. The E-Class once again reached a market share of about 25% and sales of 201,000 vehicles. On January 15, 2002, the all-new E-Class will be presented to the public at the Brussels Auto Show.

M-Class sales were 102,300 cars in 2001. Helped by high G-Class demand from the U.S., where the all-road vehicle was introduced in December 2001, worldwide sales jumped by 52% to 6,000 vehicles.

With 750,000 vehicles produced since its launch, the A-Class continued its market-success throughout 2001 with a new extended wheelbase version. Since its introduction in spring 2001, 44,300 customers opted for this all-new A-Class variant. Total A-Class sales were 190,600 vehicles.

Sales in Europe have reached an all-time high. With a market-share of over 12.2% and sales of 390,000 vehicles, Mercedes-Benz has become Germany's second best selling nameplate. Western European sales outside Germany increased by 15%. Particularly well did the U.K. which rose 36% to 80,500 cars. In Italy Mercedes-Benz sold 65,000 cars, an increase of 5%. Demand in France was very strong with a growth of 15% to 55,000 Mercedes-Benz vehicles. Spain grew by an impressive 26% to 28,000 vehicles.

In the U.S., Mercedes-Benz USA reached a new record with 206,600 retail sales. C-Class sales in the U.S. rose by 48% while the top-of-the-line CL increased by a spectacular 70%. In Canada, overall sales declined by 4.6%.

Mercedes-Benz had an extremely strong performance in the emerging markets. Sales in China increased by 69%, Russia moved ahead by 51% and Indian sales grew by 64%. Due to the new C-Class, sales grew even in a difficult market like Japan by 3% to 43,000 units. The Asian-Pacific region was up 13% to 42,000 units. South Africa saw a record year with sales of 17,000 cars, a 44% increase.

Said Professor Hubbert, "The Mercedes-Benz product offensive will continue at high pace. The new SL has set the stage for the second cycle of exciting products which are likely to convince more luxury customers of the qualities of a Mercedes-Benz than ever. The cars to come will set new benchmarks in technological and emotional intelligence. We believe that, whatever total sales will be this year, chances are good that we'll outperform the markets, and our competitors."

More News....