Mercedes-Benz Overthrows BMW As World's Best-Selling Premium Brand As 2016 Global Sales Surge 11.3% to Over 2 Million Vehicles

Mercedes-Benz once again grew at a double-digit rate in 2016 and for the first time sold more than two million vehicles with the three-pointed star in one year worldwide (+11.3%). In 2016, Mercedes-Benz was the premium brand with the most new-car registrations in many countries, such as in Germany and in the USA. Mercedes-AMG set a new record last year with sales of approximately 100,000 vehicles (+44.1%). 2016, the smart brand sold more cars than ever before in one year (144,479 units, +21%).

Mercedes-Benz was more successful than ever in the year 2016: The Stuttgart-based premium brand with the three-pointed star increased its unit sales by 11.3% and delivered 2,083,888 vehicles to customers all over the world. This means not only that Mercedes-Benz grew worldwide faster than its German competitors, but also that it delivered the most cars in the premium segment.

Dr Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars: “2016 was the most successful year for Mercedes-Benz in the history of the company, and the sixth record year in succession. With new cars with pioneering design that inspire our customers and with particularly strong growth, above all in China and Europe, we have climbed to the top of the premium segment. And we are accelerating further – with new technologies, products and services.”
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GermanNut - 1/9/2017 10:52:23 AM

+4 Boost

BMW paid an extremely heavy price for straying from its "Ultimate Driving Machine"driving dynamics, its highly conservative design that has failed to evolve from one generation to the next and its less luxurious interiors.

Mercedes-Benz stayed true to its ethos of luxury first and sport second, more design changes from one generation to the next (but not in between existing models) and more luxurious interiors.

The BMW fanboys will point to BMW's global sales increase, but it will likely be less than half of Mercedes-Benz's 11.3% with a dramatic decline in the U.S. compared to its competitors.

Congratulations Mercedes-Benz! Now let's see if Mercedes-Benz can maintain this strong sales growth.

Firewombat - 1/9/2017 1:52:58 PM

0 Boost

You can't help yourself. This article is about Mercedes-Benz and the first word in your post is BMW. I said it before, you need to speak to someone. Just look back at a time when you were as biased toward Mercedes-Benz as you were to BMW, same biased opinions, this was a couple of years back. You yourself were involved in many a flame war with Merc fan boys.

Until they started clawing back sales from BMW and your tune changed, anything to try and discredit the brand you hate so much. There is something wrong with you. And just so that you know, the other accounts you use to post comments that support yours... it's pretty obvious. Zàijiàn.

MDarringer - 1/10/2017 9:00:11 AM

+1 Boost

I agree with your comments about straying from the Ultimate Driving Machine focus. When a Cadillac is more BMW-like than a BMW, you know there's a problem.

They need to bring the 1 Series sedan and put it at the Jetta GLI price point to start. Hell, they could even call it the 2002 if they wanted to divorce it from "real" BMWs.

PUGPROUD - 1/9/2017 11:31:30 AM

+3 Boost

Right on GermanNut, right on!

NewQ - 1/9/2017 1:27:00 PM

+3 Boost

I have to agree on this one.

I'm one of the only big defenders of the 7-Series on here (especially against the S-Class), but that's the only model in BMW's lineup that is as luxurious and well-designed as its Mercedes counterpart.

All of the other models fall flat on their interior and styling. Maybe a +1 on driving dynamics, but not enough to overcome the special feeling the Mercedes vehicles give you.

Firewombat - 1/9/2017 1:56:12 PM

0 Boost

I don't think we're allowed to post links in the comments but please provide the names of any reputable motoring publication that has said any BMW interiors fall flat compared to Mercedes-Benz. I'm waiting GermaNut.

cidflekken - 1/9/2017 6:21:11 PM

+2 Boost

Are there any truly "reputable motoring publication(s)" anymore?

Firewombat - 1/10/2017 2:07:54 AM

+1 Boost

Well, at least a widely read (or these days seen) review from someone who's trying to be objective. Still prefer a reference from Car and Driver (even though I don't always agree with them) vs. a 14 yo on a home-made YouTube channel.

cidflekken - 1/9/2017 6:27:26 PM

+2 Boost

The truth of the matter is, yes, Mercedes has tremendous momentum. However, BMW can easily overtake them in the US and globally by introducing a viable 4-door 1 or 2 Series sedan. It would easily garner the same numbers as, if not better than, the A3 and CLA.

Going into 2017, Mercedes might run the risk of losing a bit of this momentum. There are no brand new cars to introduce. Only refreshes of the S-Sedan and C-Sedan. There should be a brand new GLE forthcoming, but that will be late in the year, at best. The E-Coupe is still to go on sale, and its convertible variant hasn't been introduced yet.

Firewombat - 1/10/2017 2:12:33 AM

+1 Boost

I agree, new 1 series sedan they built for China would help sales but it's FWD and I don't think they would bring that to the US. Audi A3 is the their best-selling model globally.

The other gap is a full-sized SUV, which is coming but I don't think in the next year or 2. Mercedes deserved all the praise and recognition for their sales performance, great range of cars and the brand is as strong as ever.