Mercedes-Benz sales rise 15% in 2010

Mercedes-Benz has just announced a very positive 2010 sales year, as the German brand registered an increase of 15 percent in its deliveries, with a double-digit increase on the twelve months of the year. In November Mercedes had already surpassed the 2009 sales volume, with the fourth quarter becoming the most successful quarter in the history of the company, with 313.700 units delivered. The worldwide sales in 2010 for Mercedes-Benz fixed at 1,167,700 units, increasing 15 percent when compared to 2009.

Dr. Dieter Zetsche, CEO of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars: “We were extremely successful this past year, exceeding practically all of our targets, some quite considerably. Our sales in many markets developed much better than expected.”

“Our growth outperformed that of the global passenger car market as a whole, which is why we were able to gain market shares. The year was marked by the success of the E- and S-Class in particular, as well as high growth rates mainly in China and the other BRIC countries. We are also very satisfied with our performance in the U.S.”

Making a preview of what is to be expected from Mercedes-Benz in 2011, Zetsche says: “Prospects are looking very good for Mercedes-Benz in the new year. We’ve got an attractive and competitive model lineup and expect to generate additional momentum with a wide range of new products.”

With the new CLS being the first product offensive for 2011, Mercedes-Benz is counting on the model to maintain the history of success of the CLS. In the spring the offensive will come from the new generation of the brand’s highest volume model, the C-Class, the new SLK and the new C-Class coupe. For the fall Mercedes-Benz has prepared the launch of the new M-Class and the year won’t end without the presentation of the new B-Class.

In 2011 Mercedes-Benz will also be willing to introduce its new and highly efficient four, six, and eight-cylinder engines, as well as its standard start-stop technology. Mercedes will be introducing in 2011 the C 220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY from the new-generation C-Class series, a car that will deliver fuel consumption of only 4.4 liters per 100 km and CO2 emissions of 117 grams.

China registered a huge increase in sales in 2010. In fact sales in that Asian market more than doubled. Although the original sales target was at 120,000 units, Mercedes-Benz managed to overtake it, with total sales of 148,400 passenger cars. This number represented an increase of 112% to total of vehicles sold in 2009 (70,100).

Other markets where the Mercedes-Benz sales went up include Russia (+64%), Brazil (+46%), South Korea (+86%), Turkey (+27%), South Africa (+16%), Australia (+19%) and Taiwan (+49%).