Mercedes-Benz sold 125,865 vehicles globally in January 2015

Mercedes-Benz follows up on the success of the previous year and has started 2015 with record sales of 125,865 vehicles. Thus, 13.6 per cent more Mercedes-Benz models were sold than in the same month of the previous year. In January, smart also posted a solid sales
growth of 29.9 per cent.

"We have started the 'year of the SUVs' at Mercedes-Benz with a sales increase of 37 per cent in this segment," said Ola Kallenius, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, responsible for Mercedes-Benz Cars Marketing & Sales. "In 2015 we will continue last year's momentum with new products across all segments: in the high-end with the Mercedes-Maybach S 600 and in the microcar-segment with the new smart fortwo and smart forfour, which are highly popular among our customers. January unit sales of the new smart models increased by nearly 30 per cent in comparison to the previous year's month."

The European market continues to develop positively for Mercedes-Benz with a 14.5 per cent sales increase to 47,693 vehicles. Particularly high growth rates were achieved in the UK (+20.4 per cent), Italy (+16.3 per cent), Spain (+47.4 per cent) and France (+22.1 per cent). In the toughly competitive German market,11.4 per cent more vehicles were sold than in the same month of the previous year (15,503 units), and additional market shares were gained. Mercedes-Benz is thus expanding its market leadership among the premium manufacturers in the domestic market.

In the NAFTA region, a total of 27,621 models were sold (+9.6 per cent) - more than ever before. With sales of 24,619 vehicles, a sales record was achieved in the USA (+8.9 per cent). A new record was also posted in Canada with a sales increase of 8.2 per cent.

The Asia-Pacific region achieved a sales record of 46,269 vehicles (+16.4 per cent), of which 28,080 Mercedes-Benz models were delivered to customers in China (+14.5 per cent). A sales record was posted not only in China but also in Japan, where Mercedes-Benz holds the market leadship among the premium manufacturers.

In contrast to the general market forecast, Mercedes-Benz unit sales in Russia were up by 16.2 per cent in January. However, it remains to be seen how the difficult economic situation will affect Mercedes-Benz sales in Russia during the rest of the year.

The compact cars of Mercedes-Benz continue to enjoy great popularity, which enabled a 24 per cent sales increase in January. A total of 33,719 customers received their new A-, B-, CLA- and GLA-class vehicles in January. The CLA Shooting Brake, which is the fifth member of the compact car family, will celebrate its market launch in March.

The C-class Sedan and Estate were particularly successful in January. Sales of the two models are over 50 per cent higher than in the same month of the previous year. Overall, some 31,959 C-class Sedans and Estates were handed over to customers.

The SUV boom has led to a 37 per cent sales growth in this segment. The GLK- as well as the GL- and G-class posted new sales records in January.

The new smart models launched in November 2014 are enjoying an excellent reception from customers. In January, unit sales increased to 8,457 smart fortwo and forfour models, which marks a 29.9 per cent increase compared to the previous year's month. Sales on the German domestic market grew by more than 60 per cent.

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