Mercedes-Benz: strong growth in unit sales for E-Class and dream cars in May

Mercedes-Benz increased its unit sales by a double-digit rate once again in May, selling 193,741 vehicles worldwide (+13.5%). Thanks to growth of 14.3%, a total of 934,965 cars with the three-pointed star were delivered to customers all over the world since the beginning of the year. This means that compared with the first five months of last year, over 100,000 more customers decided in favour of a Mercedes-Benz. In May, the Stuttgart-based company with the star was the premium brand with the most new registrations in the European markets Germany and Switzerland as well as in the markets Japan, Australia, Taiwan, the USA, Canada and Mexico.

“Along with the rising temperatures in Europe, many customers fulfilled their wish for a cabriolet, roadster or coupé from Mercedes-Benz. This was especially the case in Germany in May,” stated Britta Seeger, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG responsible for Mercedes-Benz Cars Marketing and Sales. “In addition to our dream cars, the E-Class is also extremely popular with customers in Germany. Car sales in our domestic market increased by more than 17 percent in May.”

Mercedes-Benz unit sales by region and market

In Europe, Mercedes-Benz set new records in May and in the first five months of the year. Thanks to a growth rate of 13.7%, sales increased last month to 84,472 units. In Germany alone, 27,413 customers took delivery of their new Mercedes-Benz, which is 4,000 more than in May 2016 (+17.4%). Great Britain, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Sweden, Poland and Norway recorded new best sales figures last month – in some cases with growth rates of over 25%.

In the Asia-Pacific region, Mercedes-Benz set another sales record with 72,095 vehicles delivered to customers last month (+25.5%). In May and in the first five months of the year, more cars with the three-pointed star were sold there than ever before. China made a considerable contribution to this success: 50,015 vehicles were handed over to customers in May, which is 32.2% more than in the prior-year month. In addition to China, new sales records were set also in the markets South Korea, Australia, Taiwan and India – both last month and since the beginning of the year.

In the first five months of the year, more automobiles with the three-pointed star were sold in the NAFTA region than ever before in that period (158,505 units, +1.4%). Unit sales in the USA since the beginning of the year are at about the prior-year level, with 132,966 vehicles delivered. Since May, the new GLA has been at the dealerships in the USA, its second-largest sales market. In Canada and Mexico, Mercedes-Benz set new sales records in May and in the period of January to May.

Mercedes-Benz unit sales by model

Demand for the A- and B-Class, the CLA, CLA Shooting Brake and the GLA continues to be on a high level. From January to May, nearly 250,000 compact cars from Mercedes-Benz were handed over to customers all over the world. And last month, the three-millionth A-Class was delivered. The success story of the Mercedes-Benz compact cars started with the A-Class 20 years ago at the plant in Rastatt, Germany, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. Another sales milestone was set in May: 500,000 customers have already decided in favour of the GLA since the launch of the compact SUV in 2014.

The E-Class Saloon and Estate continue to be in strong demand all over the world. Sales of those models increased by 75.4% to 30,866 units, a new high for a May. Sales of the Estate almost doubled compared with the prior-year month.

Sales of the coupés, cabriolets and roadsters with the star were up by 30.7% in May at a total of 14,945 units. The bestsellers among the dream cars were the C-Class Coupé and C-Class Cabriolet. The S-Class Cabriolet recorded especially strong growth, while the new E-Class Cabriolet will be launched in late summer.

smart

A total of 12,201 customers decided in favour of a two-door or four-door model from smart last month. The smart customers were especially attracted by the convertible version of the smart fortwo, which offers great open-top driving fun. And since May, the battery-electric version of the smart cabrio has been available to order in Europe. In the Asia-Pacific region, sales of the smart fortwo and forfour were higher than ever before in a May.

Overview of sales by Mercedes-Benz Cars