Benz sales in Canada have already surpassed 2007

Chris October 1, 2008

Mercedes-Benz sales for 2008 in Canada have already beaten the sales total for the whole of 2007 – and there is still a whole quarter to go. Â We have already heard that sales south of the border in the U.S. have slipped slightly, but in the Great White North the record run has continued.

Diesel sales were very strong, reflecting continuing concerns about gasoline prices. 4-Matic sales were also impressive, perhaps helped along by memories of last winter’s atrocious weather conditions.

Press release in full after the break.

October 1, 2008

Mercedes-Benz Canada reports best September, best third quarter and surpasses 2007 year-end sales results

TORONTO, ON – Mercedes-Benz Canada reported today its best September ever with a total of 2,101 Mercedes-Benz and smart combined units registered for the month. This is up 741 units or 54.5% compared to September 2007, and brings the year-to-date total to 18,573 units; an increase of 33.3% compared to this time last year and enough to already surpass total year-end sales results for 2007 with one quarter still remaining.

A total of 1,800 Mercedes-Benz vehicles were delivered in September. This represents the best September ever, a gain of 471 units or a 35.4% increase compared to September 2007 and pushes the year-to-date growth to 30.9%.

smart also reported its best September ever with a total of 301 smart fortwos delivered in the month. Year-to-date smart has sold a total of 3,152 units, up 45.9% from this time last year.

Very strong B-Class, C-Class, E-Class, SL-Class, M-Class and R-Class model sales contributed to September’s success. The award-winning C-Class continued to be an outstanding seller, ahead 388 units for the month of September. Retail deliveries of the B-Class were up an impressive 56.3% for the month, and sales of the luxurious M-Class and spacious R-Class remained strong and showed a gain of 21.4% and 30.8% respectively for the month. The company’s diesel sales ratio was 43.0% for the month while permanent all-wheel drive 4MATICâ„¢ units accounted for 61.2% of the overall passenger car and light truck sales (excluding smart).

Total Mercedes-Benz passenger car sales of 1,391 units were ahead by 430 units, a 44.7% gain for the month and up 35.3% on a year-to-date basis.

On the luxury light truck side, the M-Class, R-Class and GL-Class continued to perform very well with 409 units sold in the month of September. Light trucks have grown 18.4% so far this year with 3,567 units delivered.

On the pre-owned side, the company reported 648 Mercedes-Benz units delivered for the month of September, up 141 units from September 2007 and bringing the year to date total to 5,519 units which represents an increase of 17.6%.

“To surpass last year’s total sales by the end of the third quarter is an exciting accomplishment and another milestone in what has already become a banner year for Mercedes-Benz,” said Marcus Breitschwerdt, President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Canada. “Our strong sales results and steady momentum demonstrate that Canadians are continuing to put their confidence in Mercedes-Benz vehicles, and this is something that our dealerships and each and every employee across Canada has contributed to and should be very proud of. From our advanced BlueTEC clean diesel SUVs to the host of face-lifted models and the unprecedented value offered in all of our 2009 vehicles, there has never been a more exciting time for our existing and potential customers to visit a Mercedes-Benz dealership.”