Mercedes-Benz Posts Continued Growth, with Sales up 15 percent in April

Dr. Joachim Schmidt:

• "It's a great start into the second quarter during which we plan to substantially boost sales."

• "In line with the sales development, our incoming orders have increased significantly as well"

• Double-digit growth rate in almost all markets

• Sales up for C-Class, E-Class and S-Class

Stuttgart – Mercedes-Benz is continuing its growth path. As in previous months, sales increased at a double-digit rate in April. Customer deliveries totaled 93,100 units (April 2009: 80,700), an increase of 15 percent.

"We are very satisfied with our sales development in April," says Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing, Mercedes-Benz Cars. "Our products are very popular with customers and we grew at a double-digit rate in nearly all markets. It's a great start into the second quarter during which we plan to substantially boost sales. In line with the sales development, our incoming orders have increased significantly as well. That is particularly due to the high demand in China and the U.S. and the great success of the E and S-Class."

The Chinese market continues to be one of the main growth drivers. At 11,300 units (April 2009: 5,600), Mercedes-Benz posted a new sales record in the country and again doubled the number of its deliveries. Within the Asia-Pacific region, the brand's deliveries rose by 26 percent in Japan and by 36 percent in Australia. Mercedes-Benz also grew at a double-digit rate in the BRIC countries of India (plus 95 percent), Brazil (plus 77 percent), and Russia (plus 50 percent).

The positive trend of the past several months has also continued in the U.S., with sales there rising by 21 percent to 17,600 units (April 2009: 14,600). Mercedes-Benz was therefore the German premium brand with the highest sales volume in the country, enabling it to gain market share. In fact, Mercedes-Benz has been the German premium brand with the highest market share in the U.S. since the beginning of the year.

Mercedes-Benz delivered 24,200 passenger vehicles (April 2009: 23,000) to Western Europe (excluding Germany) in April, representing an increase of six percent on the same month last year. High growth rates were recorded for example in the UK (plus 12 percent), Belgium (plus 14 percent) and Austria (plus 27 percent).

Mercedes-Benz sold 21,600 units in Germany in April, thus nearly matching the level reached last year (April 2009: 22,100). Mercedes-Benz was able to buck the overall market trend and gained market share in April. Mercedes-Benz thus remains the most successful premium automaker on its home market.

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