Mercedes-Benz USA Records All-Time Best September MBUSA Year-to-Date Sales Up 2.4 Percent to 153,692 Vehicles
September sales volume was led by the C-Class family of sedans, coupes and wagons, which recorded 4,810 units, setting an all-time September sales record. Boosted by its recent launch, the all-new E-Class recorded 4,397 units in September -- a 61.2 percent increase over the 2,728 sold in September 2001. Year-to-date, the C-Class model line was also the volume leader with 48,998 new C-Class models sold, a 38.9 percent increase over the first three quarters of 2001.
"Our new models will provide strong momentum for the remainder of the year," said Keith May, vice president of sales for MBUSA. "The E-Class and CLK have been tremendously well-received by our customers and dealers, and the highly anticipated addition of our 4MATIC four-wheel-drive system on C-Class sedans and wagons will further enhance the C-Class family."
Other highlights for the month included major sales gains for the high-end model lines. Sales for Mercedes-Benz's high-end model lines as a group -- the CL, SL and S-Class models -- increased 7 percent year-to-date with 27,434 units sold through September in 2002 vs. 25,528 sold through September in 2001.
"With the pending launch of the facelifted S-Class sedans and CL-Class coupes, we anticipate a strong finish to the year for our high-end vehicles," added May. "The astonishing new Pre-Safe system, our 493-horsepower bi-turbo V12, and the addition of 4MATIC give these models new excitement. The addition of all these new models and features make our line up as diverse and exhilarating than ever."
Separately, through its Starmark pre-owned vehicle program, MBUSA recorded sales of 3,212, an increase of 5.1 percent over last September. On a year-to-date basis, Starmark sales increased 15.7 percent to 32,281 units sold compared to 27,898 year-to-date in 2001.
MERCEDES-BENZ USA
Sales -- September 2002
Model Sept '02 Sept '01 Monthly YTD 2002 YTD 2001 Yearly
% %
C-CLASS TOTAL 4,810 4,590 4.8% 48,998 35,274 38.9%
E-CLASS TOTAL 4,397 2,728 61.2% 25,706 33,953 -24.3%
S-CLASS TOTAL 1,622 1,980 -18.1% 14,534 19,183 -24.2%
CL TOTAL 205 260 -21.2% 2,855 2,672 6.8%
SL TOTAL 1,079 249 333.3% 10,045 3,673 173.5%
CLK TOTAL 1,371 1,418 -3.3% 13,279 12,992 2.2%
SLK TOTAL 549 871 -37.0% 6,449 9,202 -29.9%
M-CLASS TOTAL 3,196 3,390 -5.7% 29,443 33,156 -11.2%
G-CLASS 251 n/a n/a 2,383 n/a n/a
GRAND TOTAL 17,480 15,486 12.9% 153,692 150,105 2.4%