Mercedes-Benz USA today reported its highest year on record with 305,072 vehicles sold in 2012, representing a 15.4% increase over the 264,460 vehicles sold during the same period in 2011. The Mercedes-Benz model line alone also recorded a record year with sales of 274,134 for the year, up 11.8%. Smart and Sprinter model lines both achieved their highest volumes under the MBUSA umbrella with smart sales increasing 92.2% to 10,009 while a record month for Sprinter took the brand to 20,929 for 2012, an increase of 26.3%.
“A strong product offensive backed our retail network’s commitment to providing a world-class ownership experience put the wind at our back and enabled us to outperform the market and take the brand to new heights in the U.S.,” said Steve Cannon, president & CEO of MBUSA. “We’re going to ride that momentum into 2013 with new products across the entire model line from entry point to flagship.”
For December, the Mercedes-Benz product line alone posted sales of 28,145 vehicles (up 9.5% from 25,701 in December 2011) bringing MBUSA sales to a best-ever 31,372, up 12.0% from the 28,006 vehicles sold in December 2011.
Strong sales were recorded across the model line. The sporty C-Class – the gateway to the Mercedes-Benz brand for younger and first-time Mercedes-Benz buyers – recorded its highest year on record with sales of 81,697, up 17.9% over its year-to-date volume in 2011. The 9th generation E-Class followed with sales of 65,171, and the M-Class, MBUSA’s top-selling SUV, rounded out the top three with sales of 38,101.
For December, sales at the high-end increased as well, with combined sales of S-, CL- and SL-Class vehicles increasing 18.9% percent to 17,416 (when compared to the 14,650 vehicles sold in 2011).
Separately, sales of Sprinter Vans increased by 39.9% for the month with sales of 2,231 compared to the 1,595 vehicles sold in December 2011.
Sales of the smart fortwo totaled 996 vehicles in December, up 40.3% for the month (compared to the 710 vehicles sold in December 2011).
Sales of the high-performance AMG models were 6,658 for the year a 27.5% increase of the 5,220 vehicles sold over the same period last year.
Sales of the company’s BlueTEC diesel models were up 7.4% for the year at 15,416 compared to the 14,358 diesels sold in 2011.
Additionally, through the Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned (MBCPO) program, MBUSA sold 6,949 vehicles in December; an increase of 13.7% when compared to December 2011 (sales of 6,112 vehicles). On a year-to-date basis, MBCPO sold 80,380 vehicles, an increase of 7.8% over the comparable period (with sales of 74,571 vehicles).
| Mercedes-Benz Passenger Vehicles | Dec-12 | Dec-11 | Monthly % | YTD 2012 | YTD 2011 | Yearly % |
| B-CLASS | 1 | 0 | 29 | 19 | 52.6% | |
| C-CLASS | 7,757 | 7,744 | 0.2% | 81,697 | 69,314 | 17.9% |
| E-CLASS | 6,984 | 5,301 | 31.7% | 65,171 | 62,736 | 3.9% |
| S-CLASS | 1,110 | 1,073 | 3.4% | 11,794 | 12,258 | -3.8% |
| CL-CLASS | 71 | 57 | 24.6% | 723 | 943 | -23.3% |
| SL-CLASS | 503 | 99 | 408.1% | 4,899 | 1,449 | 238.1% |
| SLS AMG | 38 | 86 | -55.8% | 800 | 722 | 10.8% |
| CLK-CLASS | 0 | 1 | -100.0% | 1 | 6 | -83.3% |
| SLK-CLASS | 445 | 266 | 67.3% | 4,595 | 3,220 | 42.7% |
| CLS-CLASS | 703 | 638 | 10.2% | 8,065 | 5,665 | 42.4% |
| R-CLASS | 9 | 144 | -93.8% | 1,473 | 2,385 | -38.2% |
| M-CLASS | 4,241 | 5,313 | -20.2% | 38,101 | 35,835 | 6.3% |
| G-CLASS | 168 | 55 | 205.5% | 1,330 | 1,191 | 11.7% |
| GL-CLASS | 3,111 | 2,578 | 20.7% | 26,042 | 25,139 | 3.6% |
| GLK-CLASS | 3,004 | 2,346 | 28.0% | 29,364 | 24,310 | 20.8% |
| MAYBACH | 50 | 39 | 28.2% | |||
| TOTAL | 28,145 | 25,701 | 9.5% | 274,134 | 245,231 | 11.8% |
| *SPRINTER | 2,231 | 1,595 | 39.9% | 20,929 | 16,577 | 26.3% |
| **smart | 996 | 710 | 40.3% | 10,009 | 5208** | 92.2% |
| MBUSA Combined Total | Dec-12 | Dec-11 | Monthly % | YTD 2012 | YTD 2011 | Yearly % |
| GRAND TOTAL | 31,372 | 28,006 | 12.0% | 305,072 | 264,460*** | 15.4% |
| *Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Sprinter Vans are sold and marketed in the U.S. by Mercedes-Benz USA and Daimler Vans USA, respectively. | ||||||
| **Includes some vehicles sold by the Penske organization | ||||||
| ***Does not include vehicles sold by the Penske Organization | ||||||
