It Figures Mercedes-Benz Is First Choice

MULGRAVE, AUSTRALIA – Sept 8, 2010: The combination of a strong and robust market, the First Choice strategy and the “It Figures” finance packaging have delivered some sales milestones early for Mercedes-Benz according to managing Director of Mercedes-Benz Cars, Mr Horst von Sanden.

“We have this week passed a number of sales milestones with record sales of the B-Class, CLC-Class, C-Class and the E-Class Sedan, Coupe and Cabriolet.

When we repositioned the stereo untypical compact B-Class, our goal was to outsell Both the A-Class and the B-Class combined. I am extremely pleased that in August the B-Class was second in its segment and year to date is in a battle for second place that we expect will go right down to the line at the end of the year. The sales performance of B-Class is so strong that year to date it has outsold the combined A-Class and B-Class sales for the same time last year by more than 30%.

The CLC-Class four seat Sports Coupe has exceeded our expectations with yet another strong month and just today we took our 1,000th CLC order this year. We have been able to secure additional units from the factory which guarantees supply of this very popular model right through to the end of the first quarter of 2011.

The award winning C-Class sedan has continued its segment domination with more than one in three buyers in the segment choosing it. The recently released C 200 CGI and C 250 CGI have accounted for more than two thirds of sales year to date. The C-Class Estate is the quiet achiver with well over 300 sold year to date. The single most popular model was the C 220 CDI Estate with a one third share of sales. The not so quiet achievers in the segment are the C63 AMG Sedan and Estates that are about to notch up their 400th sale year to date.

The 1,500th E-Class Sedan sold this year was an E 250 CGI Sedan which incidentally is the most popular of all the E-Class Sedan variants. The E-Class Sedan is chosen by one in every two buyers in the segment. One of the pleasant surprises we have seen is the high level of acceptance of the “It Figures” finance package. The E 350 Estate has just been joined by the E 250 CDI Estate and already we hold a double figure order bank.

The E-Class Coupe and Cabriolet have maintained their segment leadership with more than one in four buyers choosing the three pointed star with sales passing 1200 units year to date in August. The recently released E 250 CDI Cabriolet we expect will bring incremental growth to the segment. Currently E 250 CGI and E 350 Cabriolet have an almost equal share of sales with 40% each and the balance held by the E 500 Cabriolet.”