Mercedes-Benz sets record in July
Sales strong during July
Mercedes Car Group: Record Sales in July 2003
- Mercedes-Benz achieves record levels in the U.S.
- E- and S-Class achieve record sales
- Demand for smart roadster and roadster-coupé surpasses expectations
The Mercedes Car Group sold 108,800 automobiles worldwide in July 2003 (July 2002: 105,800), thus setting a new record. In the face of current market conditions worldwide, sales figures remained relatively steady from January through July at 717,900 passenger cars (2002: 727,300).
In July 2003, 96,500 customers worldwide purchased a Mercedes-Benz brand model, up by around three percent on the same month of last year. Through July, 645,000 Mercedes-Benz passenger cars were sold in an overall declining market (2002: 653,100 cars), approaching last year’s level. Mercedes-Benz set sales records with its E-Class (177,500 units, up 46 percent) and its S-Class (65,300, up four percent). The E- and S-Class sedans therefore remain the global market leaders in their respective segments.
In the U.S., Mercedes-Benz managed to maintain a record pace: In July, over 18,700 cars were delivered to customers, 26 percent more than in the same month in 2002. Through July, deliveries rose six percent to the record level of 124,600 passenger cars.
Mercedes-Benz remained very successful in Asia as well: Compared with last year, demand rose 21 percent to 52,200 passenger cars. Japan, the biggest sales market in Asia, propelled the growth in the region. Sales in the country rose by seven percent to 22,100 vehicles.
With regard to volume European markets, Mercedes-Benz gained market share since the beginning of the year in the UK (53,400 cars, up eleven percent), Italy (49,700 cars, down one percent) and Spain (20,500 cars, up four percent), despite the negative overall trend. In Germany, where the economy remains weak, 205,300 Mercedes-Benz models were sold from January through July. The total was eight percent below last year’s figure, which, however, had been boosted by the launch of the new E-Class sedan.
In July 2003, smart sales rose by five percent to 12,300 passenger vehicles (July 2002: 11,700). From January through July, a total of 72,900 cars were delivered, compared with 74,200 in the same period last year. Deliveries of the smart roadster and roadster-coupé totaled 9,500 units through July, allowing the new production series to exceed the goal set for the entire year of at least 8,000 vehicles.
|
July 2003
|
Monthly %
|
YTD 2003
|
Yearly %
|
Mercedes Car Group worldwide
|
108,800
|
+ 2.8
|
717,900
|
-1.3
|
Mercedes-Benz
|
96,500
|
+ 2.5
|
645,000
|
- 1.2
|
Smart
|
12,300
|
+ 4.7
|
72,900
|
- 1.7
|
Mercedes Car Group worldwide
|
|
Western Europe (excl. Germany)
|
41,800
|
+ 6.0
|
261,800
|
- 0.5
|
Germany
|
37,100
|
- 10.6
|
228,200
|
- 8.4
|
United States*
|
18,700
|
+ 25.5
|
124,600
|
+ 5.7
|
Asia / Pacific
|
7,700
|
+ 30.0
|
54,100
|
+ 14.6
| * Mercedes-Benz
|
|