Mercedes-Benz posts record sales for the first half of 2012

• Dr. Joachim Schmidt:

• "Despite difficult market conditions in Southern Europe, we remain on course for record sales, and with a growth in sales of 6.9 percent in the first half of the year we have achieved the best sales results so far."

• "This means we are well on track this year to surpassing the 2011 sales record. Also in June, Mercedes-Benz sales were slightly above previous year's high level."

• Over the first half of the year, Mercedes-Benz was the premium brand with the highest number of new vehicle registrations in Germany and the U.S.

• Record sales in many markets, including the U.S., Canada, China, the United Kingdom and Russia

• Strong demand for new models: record B-Class sales, strong growth in sales for M-Class

Stuttgart – Mercedes-Benz remains on track for success, posting a new sales record for the first half of the year. From January to June, a total of 652,924 vehicles (+6.9%) were sold. In June, with 121,542 units sales were slightly above previous year's record level (+0.9%).

The first two quarters of 2012 also witnessed the highest-volume sales for the Mercedes-Benz Cars division in the company's history. During the first six months of the year, the company sold 708,517 units (+6.5%) of the brands Mercedes-Benz, smart, and Maybach, with the month of June accounting for 131,139 of these vehicle sales (+0.2%).

Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing, Mercedes-Benz Cars: "Despite difficult market conditions in Southern Europe, we remain on course for record sales, and with a growth in sales of 6.9 percent in the first half of the year we have achieved the best sales results so far. Over the next few months, the market launch of the new A-Class in particular will provide a further boost to sales. This means we are well on track this year to surpassing the 2011 sales record. Also in June, Mercedes-Benz sales were slightly above previous year's high level."