Mercedes-Benz clocks best-ever sales globally for Q1 and March

Mercedes-Benz has announced that it has sold 198,921 cars in March 2016, more than ever before in one month (+8.4%).

Unit sales in the first quarter (Q1) reached a new high of 483,487 vehicles (+12.6%). New records were set in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region last month. Mercedes-Benz was the premium market leader in Japan, India, Canada, Australia, Taiwan and Portugal in March. The smart brand also reached a new high for unit sales last month.

Ola Källenius, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG responsible for Mercedes-Benz Cars Marketing & Sales, said: “Mercedes-Benz posted the strongest unit sales in the company’s history in March. And we remain on track. We have just presented two new vehicles without predecessors: the C-Class Cabriolet and the GLC Coupé.”

Unit sales by region and market

Sales in Europe totalled 97,748 units in March (+9.8%), of which 28,316 vehicles were delivered to customers in Germany (+4.4%). In the first quarter, Mercedes-Benz achieved double-digit growth in Great Britain, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Austria, Sweden and Portugal. Mercedes-Benz was the market leader among the premium manufacturers in Portugal in March.

In the Asia-Pacific region, 63,888 customers took delivery of their car with the three-pointed star in March. Unit sales thus increased by 17.9% compared with the prior-year month. In China, 38,133 units were sold in the third month of the year, an increase of 26.6%. New records were achieved for unit sales in March and in the first quarter in India, China, South Korea, Australia and Taiwan. In Japan, Australia and Taiwan, Mercedes-Benz maintained its market leadership among the premium manufacturers in March.

Mercedes-Benz sales in the NAFTA region totalled 32,856 units in March. In the USA, the company handed over 28,164 vehicles to customers. In Canada and Mexico, Mercedes-Benz achieved new records for unit sales last month. Mercedes-Benz maintained its position as the market leased among the premium manufacturers in March.

Unit sales by model

Mercedes-Benz says it saw growth in unit sales of 21.9% for its compact cars compared with the prior-year month: in March 2016, 66,930 customers took delivery of their new A- or B-Class, CLA, CLA Shooting Brake or GLA, a new record. More than 150,000 compact cars were sold in the first quarter (+25.8%). At the New York International Auto Show, the CLA Facelift was presented for the first time.

Unit sales of the C-Class Saloon and Estate surpassed 40,000 units in March. The C-Class segment is being strengthened with the new C-Class Cabriolet. It debuted at the Geneva Motor Show and is the new entry model into the cabriolet world.

Demand for the E-Class Saloon and Estate remained high shortly before the model change. In March, the E-Class Saloon and Estate were among the best-selling models of Mercedes-Benz. The new E-Class Saloon will be in the dealerships’ showrooms as of April 9.

The S-Class maintained its position as the world’s best-selling luxury saloon also in the first quarter of this year.

The SUVs continue to contribute to the growth of Mercedes-Benz. In March, 62,595 customers worldwide received their new SUV (+44.4%), more than ever before. Growth in March was particularly strong in China, the USA, Germany and Great Britain. The SUV family will be expanded with the new GLC Coupé, which recently had its world premiere at the New York International Auto Show.

Also read: Mercedes-Benz India clocks best-ever sales for the month, quarter and fiscal