Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) today reported the highest first quarter sales volume in its history. March was another record month with sales of 24,646 for its Mercedes-Benz models, a 6.5% increase over March 2012, resulting in year-to-date sales of 69,187, up 12.5%. Combined sales of Mercedes-Benz passenger vehicles, smart and Sprinter for the month totaled 27,104, up 6.3%, and year-to-date up 12.4 % at 75,214.
"We're coming out of our highest first quarter on record-and that's before launching a single new product," said Steve Cannon, president and CEO of MBUSA. "With completely redesigned E-Class models arriving at dealerships, a next generation S-Class and a new entry point for the brand-the CLA-in the wings, we're looking at our strongest year on record."
Mercedes-Benz March sales were driven by the C-, E-, and M-Class model lines. The sporty C-Class - the current gateway to the brand on the car side for younger and first-time Mercedes-Benz buyers - took the lead, posting sales of 8,396, up 32.4%. The 9th generation E-Class followed with sales of 4,009 and
MBUSA's top-selling SUV, the M-Class, rounded out the top three with sales of 3,501. At the high-end, strong performers were the company's flagship S-Class, which saw 24.0% growth, and the SL-Class, which increased 790.5% over March 2012.
On a year-to-date basis, the top performers again were the C-Class with 22,912, the E-Class with 13,689 and the M-Class with 9,162.
The Sprinter model line also continued its record sales streak in March with 1,529 vans sold - up 11.2% over last year and up 22.5% on a year-to-date basis, while the company's smart brand recorded sales of 929 vehicles.
Sales of the high-performance AMG models were 631 for the month and sales of the company's BlueTEC diesel models finished the month at 1,640, up 2.4% over the same period last year.
Separately, through the Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned (MBCPO) program, MBUSA sold 8,670 vehicles in March; an increase of 24% when compared to March 2012 (sales of 6,994 vehicles). On a year-to-date basis, MBCPO sold 24,370 vehicles, an increase of 22% over the comparable period (with sales of 19,924 vehicles).