C-Class Still the Bread and Butter for Mercedes

In the year prior to its model change, the C-Class remains the bestseller in the Mercedes-Benz model range. More than two million units have been delivered to customers all around the world since the launch of the current series in March 2000. That makes today's lineup of this model - consisting of Sedan, Station Wagon and Sports Coupe the best-selling C-Class in the history of the company. Dr. Klaus Maier, Executive Vice President Mercedes Car Group with responsibility for sales and marketing, said: "The C-Class has achieved excellent sales over its entire lifecycle and is our best-selling model series. It combines comfort and elegant design with the highest standards of safety and sets the benchmark for the entire mid-sized premium car segment."

With around 1.4 million units sold since the market launch in May 2000 the C-Class Sedan has continued its predecessors' success story. Since spring 2001, some 330,000 customers have decided on the Station Wagon. The Sports Coupe, which joined the model family in spring 2001, has logged up 283,000 sales to date. Germany is the biggest market for the C-Class, accounting for more than 30 percent of global sales. In fact, the C-Class has sold more units here since its market launch in spring 2000 than any of its premium competitors. The second largest market for the C-Class is the USA, which accounts for almost 20 percent of the global sales volume

BavarianMotorrad - 9/20/2006 11:35:10 AM

+1 Boost

Not a fan of MB but this model has very elegant and flowing lines. The overall design is a winner.

justbrown - 9/20/2006 11:36:12 AM

+1 Boost

Is that the new C-class. Looks much better than the previous version that just looked like a cheaper mercedes...the Mercedes for your "every man".

bm75204 - 9/20/2006 11:47:46 AM

+1 Boost

I have a C230 loaner car today and they need to ditch this whiney engine. I'm sure it's quite nice with a 6-cylinder, which I believe all 2006 models are (including the C230, so I'm guessing mine is a 2005), but this 4-banger isn't worth of being in a Mercedes.

DarkOneForce - 9/20/2006 11:49:43 AM

+1 Boost

Duuuhhh......

Sauceboy01 - 9/20/2006 12:49:58 PM

+1 Boost

I cant wait to see this car without cladding.

bigslick83 - 9/20/2006 2:09:31 PM

+1 Boost

i cant wait to see the new c class. we have a 2000 c280W sport on our lot and its beautiful, but like stated befor it looks like a dulled down mercedes. the car really says, "hey look what im driving untill i can afford a real mercedes."

Rupert - 9/20/2006 2:20:31 PM

+1 Boost

if this looks good, it will be a SUCCESS.
small mercs generally are.

BMW530i - 9/20/2006 6:16:49 PM

+1 Boost

I think the current C-Class wasn't very good in original form. Cheap interior and an overall plastic feel to it. The engines were ok but the C240 was pretty outdated IMO.

However, after the facelift, the current C-Class felt like a whole new car. Good quality interior, solidity, improved driving dynamics and better engines. Kudos to MB for that.

I never liked the C-Class much before the facelift, but after, oh boy, it sure drove almost like a BMW 3-series: almost. It was more comfortable and in the handling department, it was very competitive, but still no 3-series beater (nor does it try to be).

Crappy car in original form, amazing machine after the facelift.

S4cabriofox - 9/20/2006 6:35:31 PM

+1 Boost

1995-

And then Lexus will be bumped to fifth place, because the new A4/A5 and G35 are coming out at around the same time.

S4cabriofox - 9/20/2006 6:36:41 PM

0 Boost

Will-

RUIN it? The S-Class is perhaps the most desirable sedan on the road today, and it's selling like hot cakes for an ultraluxury sedan. If this looks like a small S, it will fare even better with its accessability.

BMW530i - 9/20/2006 6:41:55 PM

-1 Boost

Will is just letting his hatred of MB out, S4Cabrio. He's secretly jealous that it has more character than the LS. :p

themassmauler - 9/20/2006 9:11:52 PM

+1 Boost

that is a very handsome car

BMWRocks - 9/21/2006 12:44:44 AM

+1 Boost

The same old crapy C - class with a different body

Dave - 9/21/2006 11:57:25 AM

+2 Boost

this article is kind of like common sense. The C class is the bread and butter for Mercedes just like the Infiniti G35 is to Infiniti, the IS is to Lexus, the TSX to Acura, the 3 series to BMW....etc....the fact is, the entry level segement is always gonna be the bread and butter for any luxury brand strictly due to the price alone.

golfer38 - 9/21/2006 12:53:36 PM

+1 Boost

Not necessarily Dave...
Acura's bread and butter is the TL not the TSX. Acura has sold 80,000 TL's and about 30,000 TSX models. And, until this year, the ES330 now the ES350 was Lexus's bread and butter. So the entry level isn't always the best seller, just to be correct.

M53R - 9/21/2006 1:16:13 PM

+1 Boost

Will,

coz the cls looks like a maxima :p:P

phantom330 - 9/21/2006 4:32:10 PM

+1 Boost

The CLS is probably one of the most elegant looking vehicles on the road, I absolutely love it, and I HATE MB!

I95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 9/21/2006 9:17:45 PM

+1 Boost

I find it funny that NOBODY has stated that the Headlamp Cluster in the car above looks very similar to that of the Outgoing Lexus ES Model : )

I95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 9/21/2006 10:46:27 PM

+1 Boost

Ill let you choose : )

S4cabriofox - 9/21/2006 11:01:43 PM

+1 Boost

I love Mercedes-Benz. I love Audi. I love BMW. I love Porsche. I love Lexus. I love Infiniti. I love Cadillac. I love Land Rover. I love Lamborghini. I love Bentley. I love Jaguar.

Just to let that out!