Canada strong – but for how long?
Chris May 5, 2008
Canadian sales for the three-pointed star in April were the best results in the company’s history. While the whole Canadian light passenger vehicle market grew by 3.7%, Benz was way ahead of the game with gains of 22% over April 2007. This is a fantastic achievement for a luxury manufacturer, especially when compared to the 3% decline in the U.S.
Much of this success was due to strong diesel sales. If Benz would just roll out diesel across all their models….
How long can the growth continue? Ontario, Canada’s largest market, may be heading into recession so it can’t last forever, but so far so good for 2008.
Press release in full after the break:
May 1, 2008
Mercedes-Benz Canada reports best month ever
TORONTO, ON (May 1, 2008) – Mercedes-Benz Canada reported today two milestone records in the company’s history. April 2008 results accounted for the best month ever reported for Mercedes-Benz sales with 1,869 units and combined Mercedes-Benz and smart sales were tallied at a record-breaking best ever level of 2,228 units.
On the Mercedes-Benz side, a monthly record of 1,869 units were delivered, representing a gain of 339 units or a 22.2% increase compared to April 2007 while we saw a year-to-date growth of 738 units or a gain of 14.4%. A total of 359 smart fortwos were reported sold in April, up by 42.5%. The combined Mercedes-Benz and smart sales at 2,228 units showed an increase of 446 units or gains of 25% for the month and 21.1% on a year-to-date basis.
Not surprisingly, the entire product portfolio performed extremely well in April. More than 800 C-Class were delivered in April, up by 126.8% against last year’s April sales. Mercedes-Benz Canada dominated once again the high luxury segment with a solid growth rate of S-Class, SL-Class and CL-Class sales that also contributed to a balanced model mix for the month.
The company’s diesel sales ratio was 53.6% for the month while the permanent all-wheel drive 4MATICâ„¢ units accounted for 65.8% of the overall passenger car and light truck sales (excluding smart).
Total Mercedes-Benz passenger car sales were ahead by 28.6% or 323 units for the month and ahead by 564 units or 14.4% on a year-to-date basis.
On the luxury light truck side, brisk M-Class, R-Class and GL-Class sales were an important factor in the month’s overall success story and also surpassed April 2007 sales levels by 4%; the light trucks showed a growth of 14.4% in the first trimester.
The company also reported a best ever April with 718 pre-owned Mercedes-Benz units for the month, an increase of 101 units or an increase of 16.4 %. On a year-to-date basis, pre-owned deliveries were up by 28.6%.
Marcus Breitschwerdt, President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Canada said, “It is extremely rewarding for all of us to see monthly sales levels in excess of 2,200 units for the first time ever. While our product portfolio is certainly a key factor in our success, it is important to mention that our competitive sales programs combined with very keen dealer personnel across the country have been instrumental in helping us achieve these significant record-breaking results. It is also important to note that our extensive “green” line-up, namely the smart fortwo, the E320 BlueTEC and our M-Class, GL-Class and R-Class CDI diesel models continue to perform at an outstanding rate, month after month. “
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