Mercedes-Benz March sales down 16% at 110,400 cars

FRANKFURT (Dow Jones)--Germany's Mercedes-Benz Cars delivered 16% fewer vehicles in March, with worldwide deliveries of Mercedes-Benz, AMG, smart, and Maybach brand vehicles in the month of 110,400, down from 131,500 in March 2008, Daimler AG said Tuesday.

Mercedes-Benz brand sold 98,500 (Mar. 2008: 119,400) passenger cars in March, a decrease of 18%. Despite the continuing difficult situation on the automotive markets, and the E-Class model changeover, sales of Mercedes-Benz Cars in March were up from the previous month's total. The division also posted an increase in incoming orders compared to the numbers for Jan. and Feb. of this year.

Klaus Maier, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing Mercedes-Benz Cars: "Orders for the E-class sedan in Germany in the first quarter of this year were more than double the number posted in the same period in 2008. We had already received about 50,000 orders for the new E-Class sedan by its market launch at the end of March."

In the first quarter of the year, customers bought 28,800 (same period 2008: 28,900) models of the smart fortwo, a result that matches last year's record level of sales of the two-seater. In the United States the smart fortwo continues to be very popular, and 4,900 (same period 2008: 3,500) units of the car were sold in the first quarter, an increase of 42%. Following its successful start in the United States, the smart fortwo will be introduced this month in China.

In Germany in recent weeks Mercedes-Benz Cars records positive momentum, particularly in the compact car segment and regarding one-year old pre-owned vehicles. There was a substantial increase in orders for the A-Class and B-Class, for example. In March about 3,400 (Mar. 2008: 2,700) smart fortwo cars were delivered in Germany, an increase of 25%. Mercedes-Benz posted record-setting sales in China in Mar., with deliveries up 42% to 5,400 units (Mar. 2008: 3,800).

In the U.S., Mercedes-Benz succeeded in increasing its market shares in March, selling 15,600 (Mar. 2008: 20,800) passenger cars (minus 25%) despite the sharply declining market (minus 37%). In the SUV segment in the U.S., Mercedes-Benz performed much better than its premium-segment competitors. And Mercedes-Benz also gained market shares this month in Canada, where it is the strongest-selling premium brand, posting record growth of 26% and 2,200 units sold (Mar. 2008: 1,700).

In Mar. 6,800 (Mar. 2008: 6,700) customers opted to buy a C-Class estate, an increase of two%. Sales of the CLC sports coup?? also developed positively in Mar., climbing by 43% to 2,100 (Mar. 2008: 1,500 units) units sold. One year after its model update, the SL-Class premium roadster also continues to be a customers' favorite. Sales of the model were at the level reached in the same period last year, with 2.000 units sold in the first quarter 2009. The S-Class maintained its position as the market leader in its segment, despite the impending model changeover.

This month Mercedes-Benz is presenting the first two hybrid models from Mercedes-Benz: The ML 450 HYBRID, which was specially conceived for the U.S. market, is making its debut at the New York International Auto Show. It delivers fuel savings of up to 60% compared to a V8 gasoline engine with nearly the same power output, making it the most fuel-efficient vehicle in its segment. At the Shanghai Auto Show, Mercedes-Benz is presenting the new S-Class generation and the S 400 HYBRID, which is not only the first seriesproduction Mercedes-Benz passenger car with a hybrid drive but also the CO2 champion in the luxury class.