Mercedes-Benz USA Hits Its Highest-Ever U.S. Volume With Sales Of 305,072

  Mercedes-Benz USA Hits Its Highest-Ever U.S. Volume With Sales Of 305,072

Mercedes-Benz, smart and Sprinter All Set Records

PR Newswire

MONTVALE, N.J., Jan. 3, 2013

MONTVALE, N.J., Jan. 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) 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%.

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100901/NY58315LOGO )

"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).

About Mercedes-Benz USA

Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA), headquartered in Montvale, New Jersey, is
responsible for the distribution, marketing and customer service for all
Mercedes-Benz  products in the United States.  MBUSA offers drivers the most
diverse line-up in the luxury segment with 14 model lines ranging from the
sporty C-Class to the flagship S-Class sedans and the SLS AMG supercar.  

MBUSA is also responsible for the distribution, marketing and customer service
of Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Vans and smart in the US.  More information on MBUSA
and its products can be found at www.mbusa.com, www.mbsprinterusa.com and
www.smartusa.com

Mercedes-Benz          Dec-12     Dec-11     Monthly %     YTD 2012     YTD 2011        Yearly %
Passenger Vehicles
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%         20929        16,577          26.3%
**smart                996        710        40.3%         10,009        5,208**        92.2%
MBUSA                  Dec-12     Dec-11     Monthly %     YTD 2012     YTD 2011        Yearly %
Combined Total
GRAND TOTAL            31,372     28,006     12.0%         30,5072       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

SOURCE Mercedes-Benz USA

Website: http://www.mbusa.com
Contact: News Media - Donna Boland, +1-201-573-6893, Toll-Free 888-MBNEWS-1