Record-Breaking Half-Year Registrations For Mercedes-Benz UK

MILTON KEYNES, UNITED KINGDOM – July 9, 2012: Mercedes-Benz UK has recorded its strongest-ever registrations in the first half of 2012, according to figures released today by the SMMT. In the six months leading up to the end of June, a record-breaking 47,245 new cars were registered, up 14 per cent on 2011 - growth that outperforms the overall market (up 2.7 per cent), and makes Mercedes-Benz the fastest-growing major premium car brand in the UK.

This best-ever performance was spread across the range, with a trio of cars - C-Class Coupé, CLS four-door coupé and S-Class luxury saloon - all recording YTD (year to date) results that put them in number one position in their competitive sets with 4324, 1700 and 1084 registrations respectively. Nearly 3000 of the all-new B-Class models have been registered so far in 2012 – another record-breaking result.

The company’s high-performance division, AMG, continues its impressive performance, with registrations rising 150 per cent YTD. The new SLK 55 AMG has already recorded 120 registrations, and 618 new C 63 AMGs have taken to the road so far this year.

Commercial vehicles
In a van market that has dropped 7.5 per cent YTD, Mercedes-Benz registrations have increased 17.1 per cent to 11,637 new vans. The Vito Taxi has recorded a 124.6 per cent increase in the first six months of the year, too. Large Mercedes-Benz rigid trucks are up 56.9 per cent (three-axle) and 108.8 per cent (four-axle), whilst artics are up 11.2 per cent.

Marcus Breitschwerdt, President and CEO Mercedes-Benz UK, said: “In a sophisticated and demanding market, these record-breaking numbers illustrate that with great products, attractive offers, and a committed team of hard-working people, exceptional results are achievable.

“Even more than this, though, our results are thanks to our new and returning customers. We’ve 27.8 per cent more private new car buyers than this time last year, and an 18.7 per cent increase in fleet business. Our figures are testament to these people, and on behalf of our entire team in the UK, I’d like to thank them for helping us achieve such an impressive half-year performance.

“There are still six months to go in 2012 of course, and we’re committed to doing whatever we can to deliver ever-more attractive products and services to our customers.”