Mercedes-Benz sells over a million cars in first half of 2016, up 12.1%

Mercedes-Benz has sold over a million cars to its customers worldwide in the first six months of 2016 (+12.1%), more than ever before in half a year.

In the core regions of Europe, Asia-Pacific and NAFTA, new records were set in June and in the first six months. In China, the biggest single market, sales by Mercedes-Benz increased by more than 30% in the first half of the year. The carmaker’s SUVs accounted for one third of worldwide unit sales in June.

From January to June 2016, 1,006,619 vehicles with the three-pointed star were sold (+12.1%). In June, 188,444 Mercedes-Benz cars were handed over to customers all over the world (+11.1%), with the company posting record unit sales for the 40th month in succession.

Ola Källenius, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG responsible for Mercedes-Benz Cars Marketing & Sales, said: “We passed the million mark this year already in June and thus achieved the best half year in the company’s history. One-third of all Mercedes-Benz passenger cars sold are in the SUV segment. This shows that our product offensive is paying off and that our completely renewed SUV portfolio is extremely well received by our customers.”

Sales by region and market

In Europe, sales by Mercedes-Benz increased in June by 13.7% to 86,657 units. Between January and June, 444,581 vehicles were sold, an increase of 13.3%. In the home market Germany, unit sales in the first half of the year totalled 142,756 vehicles (+7.8%). In Germany, Italy and Portugal, the Stuttgart-based company was the market leader among the premium manufacturers last month.

In the Asia-Pacific region, Mercedes-Benz delivered 63,754 vehicles to customers in June (+16.4%), and recorded more than 20% growth in unit sales in the first half of the year. In China, its biggest market, growth was especially strong with sales of 219,999 units (+33.1%). In Japan, Australia and Taiwan, Mercedes-Benz was the premium brand with the most new registrations last month.

In the NAFTA region, 33,245 vehicles were sold in June (+2.4%) and nearly 190,000 units in the first six months. Sales in the USA increased since the beginning of the year to a new record of 28,473 units (+1.5%).

Sales by model

Sales of the A- and B-Class, the CLA, CLA Shooting Brake and GLA totalled 59,423 units in June (+9.3%). Mercedes-Benz says the increased demand in China compared with the prior-year month was the main factor behind this best-ever June sales for the compact cars from Mercedes-Benz. In the first half of the year, 319,626 customers worldwide were able to take delivery of their new compact car, more than ever before (+18.6%).

More than 200,000 units of the C-Class Saloon and Estate have already been sold this year. One reason for this is the long-wheelbase version of the C-Class Saloon, which is offered exclusively in China and achieved a new all-time high in June and the first six months. The C-Class segment has now been strengthened with the addition of the C-Class Cabriolet, which can now be ordered in Europe.

The SUVs from Mercedes-Benz surpassed their previous record set in June 2015 by 43%, with sales of 62,175 units this June. Sales growth of 46.1% in the first half of the year was even stronger (339,541 units). This means that SUVs meanwhile account for one third of the total unit sales of Mercedes-Benz. And the product offensive is continuing: a second coupe will expand the SUV segment. The new GLC Coupé has been driving off the assembly lines in Bremen since June.

Meanwhile, the smart brand increased its unit sales by 16% in June and delivered 13,147 cars to its customers worldwide. The urban microcar achieved new records in the Asia-Pacific region; never before have these many smart cars been sold in June and in the first six months of a year.