February 2013 - Mercedes-Benz USA

[William Maley]

Mercedes-Benz USA February Sales Hit Record Highs At 24,051

• Best-Ever Months for Mercedes-Benz and Sprinter models, up 21.9% and 48.0%, respectively

MONTVALE, N.J., March 1, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) reported today sales of 24,051, a 22.2% increase over the 19,679 vehicles sold in February 2012 making it the highest volume on record for the month. The Mercedes-Benz model line alone achieved its highest February numbers with sales of 22,040, up 21.9%. On a year-to-date basis, the 48,110 vehicles sold represent a 16.2% increase.

"We're building on January's momentum to bring us to a record first quarter," said Steve Cannon , president and CEO of MBUSA. "The auto industry's on the up and we're ideally positioned to take advantage of the strengthening market. With the strong product cadence we have mapped out for the year, we'll continue bringing new buyers to Mercedes-Benz while offering an expanded palette for our existing owners."

Mercedes-Benz February sales were fueled by the C-, E-, and GL-Class model lines. The sporty C-Class – the gateway to the Mercedes-Benz brand for younger and first-time Mercedes-Benz buyers – was the volume leader posting sales of 7,302, up 39.4%. The 9th generation E-Class followed with sales of 4,211 and the much acclaimed GL-Class rounded out the top three with sales of 2,800, up 77.8% compared to February 2012.

At the high-end, February sales increased as well with the S-Class up 16.4% and the SL-Class up 353.1% when compared to the same period last year.

The Sprinter model line also continued its momentum marking a record month with 1,228 vans sold, a 48.0% increase fromFebruary 2012, while smart recorded sales of 783 vehicles, up 1.8% for the month.

Sales of the high-performance AMG models were 497 for the month and sales of the company's BlueTEC diesel models finished the month at 1,251.

Separately, through the Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned (MBCPO) program, MBUSA sold 7,541 vehicles in February; an increase of 26.0% when compared to February 2012 (sales of 5,985 vehicles). On a year-to-date basis, MBCPO sold 15,700 vehicles, an increase of 21.4% over the comparable period (with sales of 12,930 vehicles).