Mercedes-Benz Canada achieves the company's best all-time sales results and retains the number one position in the luxury passenger car segment

Best year ever for the group in the following categories:

• Mercedes-Benz and smart combined sales of 35,503 units (up 7.9%)
• Mercedes-Benz passenger car and luxury light truck sales with 30,106 units (up 5.3%)
• Mercedes-Benz luxury light truck sales with 13,289 units (up 16.8%)
• Mercedes-Benz Pre-Owned sales with 14,310 units (up 9.4%)
• Mercedes-Benz Sprinter sales with 3,010 units (up 21.4%)
• Mercedes-Benz December sales results (up 18.5%)

TORONTO, Jan. 4, 2013 /CNW/ - Mercedes-Benz Canada and its national dealer network reported today that the company has exceeded numerous significant all-time sales milestones by delivering a grand total of 35,503 Mercedes-Benz and smart units throughout 2012. This considerable total equates to an increase of 7.9% or 2,589 units over 2011's record-breaking sales results, and represents the best year ever in Mercedes-Benz Canada's history.

Mercedes-Benz passenger car and luxury light truck sales totaled 30,106 units for the year, shattering last year's impressive sales records by 5.3% or 1,522 vehicles. Passenger car sales totaled 16,817 units for the year, which allowed Mercedes-Benz to maintain its leadership position in the luxury passenger car segment in Canada. Luxury light truck sales equated to 13,289 units, which is ahead a notable 16.8% for the year.

Buoyant December sales of 200 units helped propel overall year end results for smart to 2,387 units, which bested last year by 29.0% or 536 vehicles.

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter sales surpassed previous monthly sales records throughout the year to report a total of 3,010 units delivered in 2012. This is an overall gain of 21.4% or 531 vehicles, and the best year ever for Mercedes-Benz Sprinter sales.

Mercedes-Benz Pre-Owned sales showed gains right through the year. With 818 vehicles sold in December, the Mercedes-Benz Pre-Owned division ended 2012 by recording an overall gain of 9.4% or 1,231 units with a grand total of 14,310 Pre-Owned vehicles retailed.

In December, a total of 2,900 Mercedes-Benz passenger cars and luxury light trucks were retailed. This represents the best December ever, and a month-over-month gain of 18.5% compared to 2011. Mercedes-Benz passenger car sales totaled 1,689 vehicles for the month, which is ahead 19.9%. The highly anticipated next generation B-Class was also finally welcomed back to the Mercedes-Benz vehicle range after a 14-month hiatus and performed exceedingly well with 325 units retailed in its first full month.

Luxury light trucks reported a total of 1,211 vehicles delivered in December. This represents a gain of 16.6%, and was fueled by noteworthy demand across the entire vehicle range.

The diesel take rate for luxury light trucks was 82.6% for the month, while permanent all-wheel drive 4MATIC™ units accounted for 83.4% of overall passenger car and luxury light truck sales in December (excluding smart).

Overall, Mercedes-Benz continued to dominate the luxury high category in Canada this year with a 34.8% market share. In addition, Mercedes-Benz also upheld its leadership position as the number one name plate in the large luxury SUV segment. The entire product portfolio posted consistently strong sales results over the course of 2012, but there were some notable standouts from the group.

The C-Class continued to be a top pick and surpassed the 10,000 unit threshold in Canada for the first time with a total of 10,616 units sold. The CLS-Class and SL-Class reported sales increases of 55.8% and 75.4% respectively for the year, and the SLK-Class led its segment with sales ahead 36.5% for the year.

The GL-Class continued to lead the luxury large sport utility segment with 1,846 units retailed. In addition, the M-Class outsold its closest competitors and reported by far its best year ever on record with 5,539 units.

AMG also posted extraordinary sales gains in Canada this year with 1,195 vehicles delivered in 2012, which represents an increase of 45.6% over the same time period. This was fueled by continued growth across the entire breathtaking lineup, and further bolstered by full-year availability of the C 63 AMG Coupe and exciting new products including the ML 63 AMG, SLK 55 AMG, SL 63 AMG and SL 65 AMG.

Mercedes-Benz Canada and the company's authorized dealers continued to invest in the pan-Canadian retail network by celebrating six official ground breakings. For example, a state-of-the-art retail facility will be erected on Lougheed Highway in the greater Vancouver area that will replace the existing Mercedes-Benz Boundary facility. In addition, new dealerships will replace current operations in London, ON and Peterborough, ON, and the company also further expanded the dealer group through the appointment and official start of construction of new retail locations in St-Nicolas, QC, Gatineau, QC and Langley, BC. These new facilities and additional points underscore a steadfast commitment to ensuring that all dealers across the country are equipped to serve the ever-growing needs of existing and potential customers.

"It was another banner year for Mercedes-Benz, AMG, Sprinter and smart in Canada, and we have a great deal to celebrate as we reflect on a job well-done in 2012," said Tim A. Reuss, President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Canada. "First and foremost, I would like to express my profound gratitude to our entire dealer network and every employee for their individual contributions that allowed us to achieve our collective goals. Together, we demonstrated what is possible when a tireless work ethic and ambition to exceed expectations are combined with truly exceptional products. We continued to invest significantly in our retail infrastructure and refine our processes in an effort to further improve the sales and aftersales experience for our valued customer."

Reuss continued: "We enter 2013 with a steadfast resolve to consistently serve our customers to the absolute best of our abilities. Our partners at Mercedes-Benz Financial Services will also continue to offer competitive programs and innovative options such as the First Class suite of products to further differentiate the Mercedes-Benz ownership experience. When coupled with our most compelling product lineup ever, and many more exciting new models still to come, we are well-positioned to continue to ensure that the three-pointed star is unparalleled in the automotive industry."

About Mercedes-Benz Canada

Mercedes-Benz Canada is responsible for the sales, marketing and service of the three brands within the Mercedes-Benz Group in Canada: Mercedes-Benz, AMG and smart.  Headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc. employs approximately 1,450 people in 22 locations across Canada.  Through a nationwide network of 13 Mercedes-Benz owned retail operations and 40 authorized dealerships, Mercedes-Benz Canada sold 35,503 vehicles in 2012, the best year ever reported for Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc.

SOURCE: Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc.

For further information:

please contact:
JoAnne Caza  416-847-7550 joanne.caza@mercedes-benz.ca
Michael Minielly 416-847-7509 michael.minielly@mercedes-benz.ca

Further information from Mercedes-Benz is available on the internet at: www.media.mercedes-benz.ca