Highest February on Record for Mercedes-Benz with Sales of 19,679 Units

Mercedes-Benz models up 16.9%, smart up 58.9%, Sprinter up 16.6%

Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) today reported February sales of 19,679 vehicles, a 21.7 % improvement over February 2011 and the highest February volume on record with strong sales across all model lines to brand new customers. On a year-to-date basis, the 41,398 vehicles sold represent a 23.8% increase.


The company reported sales increases over virtually all its model lines from the entry point to the high-end. "With all of our new model launches over the past year bringing new buyers to Mercedes-Benz and prompting our loyal owners to reinvest in the brand, we’re ideally positioned to take advantage of the strengthening market," said Steve Cannon, president and CEO of MBUSA.

Sales for the month of February were led by the C-, E-, and M-Class model lines. The sporty C-Class - the gateway to the Mercedes-Benz brand for younger and first-time Mercedes-Benz buyers - took the lead with sales of 5,240 up 17.0% over February 2011. The 9th generation E-Class came in right behind with sales of 4,206 and MBUSA’s top-selling SUV, the M-Class, rounded out the top three with sales of 3,408, up 77.1% compared to February 2011.

Other strong performers were the company’s flagship S-Class which saw its sales increase by 20.3%, the new CLS up 411.2%, and the SLK roadster which increased 108.8% over February 2011.

Amidst rising gas prices, diesel sales increased to 1,415, up 81.9% over the same period last year (778).

The company’s smart brand continued four consecutive months of sales increases versus last year with February sales of 769 vehicles, a 58.9% jump for the month (compared to the 484 vehicles sold in February 2011). The February volume is the highest on record for smart since MBUSA assumed responsibility in July 2011.

On the van side, sales of Sprinter Vans also saw strong sales in February with sales of 830- up 16.6% over last year.

Separately, through the Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned (MBCPO) program, MBUSA sold 5,985 vehicles in February; a 2.2% increase when compared to February 2011 (sales of 5,859 vehicles). On a year-to-date basis, MBCPO sold 12,930 vehicles, an increase of 5.1% over the comparable period (with sales of 12,302).

Credits: Mercedes-Benz USA

Copyright © 2012, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

Daimler to pay its highest ever performance participation bonus of €4,100 per employee

In agreement with the General Works Council, the Board of Management of Daimler AG has set a performance participation bonus for the year 2011 of €4,100 (previous year: €3,150) be paid to each entitled employee. The amount of the annual employee bonus at Daimler AG is always related to the company’s performance in the previous financial year.


In the past jubilee year – “125 Years! Inventor of the Automobile” – Daimler set new records for unit sales (2.1 million vehicles), revenue (€106.5 billion), EBIT (€8.8 billion) and net profit (€6.0 Mrd.). On the basis of these excellent results, the company will pay the highest performance participation bonus in its history.
Wilfried Porth, Board of Management Member for Human Resources and Labor Relations Director of Daimler AG: “Daimler looks back on an excellent year. Our employees made the decisive contribution to that with their outstanding performance and maximum commitment. These exceptional efforts will be given special recognition with our performance participation bonus.”

Erich Klemm, Chairman of the General Works Council of Daimler AG: “Record earnings can only be achieved as a result of a record performance. For this reason, the General Works Council was in favor of an employee bonus also at a record level. The employees showed maximum flexibility with high levels of overtime, Saturday shifts and night shifts, and worked hard to achieve those record figures. We regard the performance participation bonus as appropriate recognition by the company of those efforts.”

The performance participation bonus for the year 2011 will be paid out with the salaries for April 2012. Those entitled to receive the bonus are not only the employees of Daimler AG in Germany paid according to collective wage-tariff agreements, but also apprentices and trainees, students from cooperative state universities and doctoral students.

Credits: Daimler AG

Copyright © 2012, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.