Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) today reported a record March with sales of 23,134 for its Mercedes-Benz models, a 7.7 % improvement over March 2011 leading to the highest first quarter volume on record with sales of 61,513, up 15.3%. Combined sales of Mercedes-Benz passenger vehicles, smart and Sprinter for the month totaled 25,508, up 13.1%, and for the year-to-date 66,906, up 19.5 %. “With the combination of strong sales performance in our volume model lines and a whole new generation of Mercedes-Benz products in the pipeline, we are ideally positioned to take advantage of the strengthening market and take the brand to new places,” said Steve Cannon, president and CEO of MBUSA.
Sales for the month of March were led by the C-, E-, and M-Class model lines. The sporty C-Class – the gateway to the Mercedes-Benz brand on the car side for younger and first-time Mercedes-Benz buyers – took the lead with sales of 6,342 and the 9th generation E-Class followed with sales of 5,570. MBUSA’s top-selling SUV, the M-Class, rounded out the top three with sales of 4,070 up 45.8% compared to March 2011. Other strong performers were the company’s popular new CLS four-door coupe which saw 242.9% growth and the SLK roadster which increased 179.3% over March 2011.
The SLS AMG supercar retailed 123 for the month, up 20.6%.
On a year-to-date basis, top performers again were the C-Class with 18,107 (up 19.2%) the E-Class with 13,873 and the M-Class with 11,480 (up 59.4%).
Amidst rising gas prices, diesel sales increased to 1,601, up 55.6% over the same period last year (1,029) and up 65.4% for the year. On the other end of the spectrum, total AMG sales were 702, up 77.3% versus March 2011 (396) and up 62.2% for the year.
The company’s smart brand continued five consecutive months of sales increases with March sales of 999 vehicles, a 135% jump for the month (compared to the 425 vehicles sold in March 2011). The March volume is the highest on record for smart since MBUSA assumed responsibility in July 2011 and brings the year-to-date volume to 2,264, up 79 percent.
On the van side, sales of Sprinter Vans also saw strong momentum in March with sales of 1,375 – up 29.5% over last year and up 18.1% on a year-to-date basis.
Separately, through the Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned (MBCPO) program, MBUSA sold 6,994 vehicles in March; a -3.3% decrease when compared to March 2011 (sales of 7,236 vehicles). On a year-to-date basis, MBCPO sold 19,924 vehicles, an increase of 2.0% over the comparable period (with sales of 19,538).
It is no secret the R-Class is a big failure in the United States, the market this car was specifically designed for. Because of ongoing poor figures, MBUSA took the decision to axe the large crossover from the range beginning with the *2013 model year, company's PR manager Christian Bokich confirmed recently.
Released ahead of its time, the W 251 never managed to revolutionize the automotive industry, partly due to its awkward styling, the unappealing combination between an SUV, an estate and an MPV and the inefficient marketing strategy. Sales were sluggish right from the start and the situation became worse as years passed. The mid-cycle facelift from April 2010 didn't bring any ray of hope in the end, as the number of units sold merely rose in the U.S. only to begin dropping once again shortly after. In February 2012, the R-Class appealed to just 163 Stateside clients, which is 8.4% less than in February 2011. On a year-to-date basis, 2012 sales for the R-Class declined by almost 30% compared to the same period of 2011.
On the contrary, in emerging markets such as China, figures for the R-Class experience a constant growth trend. The crossover is also doing well in Canada and Mexico, so production of this model is planned to continue through 2015 at the Tuscaloosa plant, when a new generation is said to come into force.
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).
As Hollywood's elite gather to honor this year's most celebrated stars at the Kodak Theater on Sunday Feb. 26th for the 84th annual Academy Awards, Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) is stepping out in high style with its own impressive talent. The all-new 2013 SL 550 Roadster. This sixth generation SL, conceived with a legendary past in its rearview mirror, will be introduced by a campaign launch oriented around the theme "State of the Art" to debut during this year's Oscar broadcast with a 60 second spot, complimented by a live broadcast from Times Square and a digital extension on OTRC.com.
"The new SL is totally redesigned with innovation and styling that breaks new ground in the category," stated Steve Cannon, president and CEO, Mercedes-Benz USA. "The Oscars is a great moment to kick off this campaign, which artfully portrays the historical significance and beauty of the SL as the new model steps into the spotlight to create the next chapter in a storied legacy."
The spot entitled "Art" opens with the 1952 300 SL Carrera Panamericana racecar speeding by a cheering crowd, soon to be passed by the 1960 300 SL convertible whipping through a completely different background, only to be taken over by the next generation...The successions continue as the subsequent models speed through different eras and different worlds which blur one into the other, until suddenly, the all-new 2013 SL accelerates to take the lead and is introduced as "our most breathtaking model ever."
In addition to the Academy Awards premier, there will be a six-week television flight of "Art" to run through April and May to coincide with the vehicle retail launch. Broadcast placements include special events such as the PGA Masters, the NCAA Final Four tournament and network season finales. This all will be complemented by a one-page print execution to run in titles reaching affluent lifestyle segments such as GQ, Departures, Forbes, Fortune and Town & Country. On the digital side, pictures and video of the new SL will be shared on top leading social media sites (YouTube, Twitter) to efficiently boost awareness and engagement for enthusiasts, featuring the its history and latest technological advancements.
About the Mercedes-Benz 2013 SL-Class
The 2013 SL550 will be available in U.S. showrooms this spring. Vehicle Highlights include:
- Sophisticated all-aluminum bodyshell: For the first time, the SL is being produced almost entirely from aluminum and weighs as much as 308 pounds less than its predecessor.
- Even better driving dynamics due to new direct injection engine, which is more powerful and economical than the outgoing generation.
- Other new features include the unique FrontBass system, which turns the luxury sports car into a concert hall - with the top down or up - and the highly efficient MAGIC VISION CONTROL., a new, intelligent and wipe/wash system.
- A retractable hard top that can be operated using a space-saving electrohydraulic mechanism, converting the SL from coupe to roadster and back again in a matter of seconds. In contrast to its predecessor, the new SL offers two versions of the retractable hard top - glass or the unique panoramic roof with MAGIC SKY CONTROL.
- A unique combination of driver assistance systems, including the drowsiness detection system ATTENTION ASSIST and the ADAPTIVE BRAKE, both of which are standard as well as the anticipatory occupant protection system PRE-SAFE, also standard.
An SL Retrospect Spanning Six Decades Marked with Support for Film Restoration During Academy Awards Season
Hollywood's love affair with motion is not exclusive to pictures, but also with the wheels belonging to the iconic Mercedes-Benz SL, which has played a role in over 150 movies and television programs in its lifespan not to mention fame on studio lots and the streets of Tinseltown.
The legendary SL, for a span of six decades, continues to be one of most iconic and desired cars in Hollywood. Its first role was garnered in the late 1950s and now has reinvented itself with a complete redesign for 2013. Each model of the SL franchise over its 60 year history has made multiple appearances on the silver screen starring in many notable films like High Society with Grace Kelly, Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby and The Rookie with Clint Eastwood.
This Academy Awards season, Mercedes-Benz is commemorating the SL anniversary by supporting film restoration through a contribution to The Film Foundation (www.film-foundation.org) in addition to creating an SL vehicle retrospective and an exclusive reveal of the 2013 SL to be seen by those attending Mercedes-Benz annual invite-only Oscar viewing party at the Soho House in West Hollywood.
"We're grateful to Mercedes-Benz for its support of The Film Foundation," said Executive Director Margaret Bodde. "The foundation is committed to restoring and preserving as many films as possible. We want to make sure that movies, which are such an essential part of our cultural heritage, are still around for people to enjoy -- not just today, but far into the future."
Between 1958 and 1975, the SL Roadster made 53 appearances in feature films and television programs that starred many of Hollywood's most talented actors and actresses such as Ava Gardiner and Fred Astaire. Beyond the earlier decades, the SL appeared in cult hits like Beverly Hills Cop, Cannon Ball Run and The Flamingo Kid.
"Classic films are similar to vintage cars in that they are a window into the past, whether communicating society's aspirations or people's style and taste during that era," said Michael Kunz, manager of the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center in Irvine California. "Restoring Mercedes-Benz vehicles is part of our DNA and we take great personal pride and determination in helping keep thousands of Mercedes-Benz classic cars on the road today and true to their originality."
MBUSA is giving any Mercedes-Benz fan the possibility to watch the official unveiling ceremony of the new SL-Class roadster live on Facebook from NAIAS Detroit 2012. The stream starts next Monday and will be available between 09:55 AM and 10:20 AM (EST) at the following address:
Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) and parent company Daimler AG will showcase vehicle technology of today, tomorrow and the future at the Consumer Electronic Show (CES) in Las Vegas from Jan. 10-13. Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, will deliver a keynote address to discuss the true meaning of the connected vehicle - both what it is and what it isn't - at 11 a.m. Tuesday, January 10, at the Las Vegas Hilton Theater.
Reporters are also invited to visit the MBUSA booth (#530 in the North Hall), where the company will demonstrate innovations including:
- mbrace2 - Mercedes-Benz's pioneering communications platform, offering the most comprehensive cloud-based system to date, accelerating the process of empowering drivers to customize their vehicle ownership experience to fit ever-changing needs. The mbrace2 system enables an incredible range of features and services related to safety, information, entertainment, personal assistance and vehicle care. These include cloud-based apps, traffic and navigation assistance, speech recognition, Internet browsing and searching, concierge services, automatic crash notifications, and more. The new platform is being shown as it will appear inside the re-designed MY2013 Mercedes-Benz SL, the first of many vehicles which comes standard this year.
- The mbrace2 smartphone app - Allows drivers to communicate and send information to their vehicle before getting inside. Drivers can use the app to find their vehicle, lock or unlock it, set valet parking protection, receive geo-fence alerts and Send2Benz, allowing drivers to socially connect with their friends and navigate to them.
- Mercedes-Benz Latest Suite of Advanced Driver Assistance System - The most comprehensive active safety system which keeps drivers safe by preventing accidents before they happen.
- The DriveStyle iPhone App - Coming later this year, Mercedes-Benz will offer the DriveStyle iPhone App, which allows drivers to interact with the vehicle rather than the phone, minimizing driver distraction. This technology will be demonstrated in the brand-new Mercedes-Benz C 350 Coupe.
- F 125! Research Vehicle - As a highlight marking 125 years of the automobile, Mercedes-Benz is presenting a visionary outlook on future technical developments in the luxury segment. The F125! research vehicle anticipates future trends and paves the way for innovative large and luxurious automobiles. The vehicle provides emission-free driving with a range of 621 miles.
- DICE, "Dynamic & Intuitive Control Experience" simulator - Take a seat into the future and wave your hands to take control of the vehicle of the future.
