Mercedes-Benz Canada reports the company's best May ever

TORONTO, June 2, 2014 /CNW/ - Mercedes-Benz Canada and its national dealer network reported today that a total of 3,583 Mercedes-Benz, Sprinter and smart units were delivered to customers in May for an overall sales increase of 8.6%. This represents the best May on record for the group, and propels year-to-date growth to 11.2% or 1,566 units. Overall, a total of 15,595 vehicles have been sold year-to-date by the Mercedes-Benz Canada network of corporate retail stores and private dealers.      

A total of 2,964 Mercedes-Benz passenger cars and luxury light trucks were sold in May, which is ahead 5.1% for the month. With 13,167 Mercedes-Benz units delivered year-to-date, overall sales showed a gain of 8% or 970 units.

Passenger car sales totaled 1,664 units in May. This is ahead 2.8% for the month, and brought overall growth to 15.4% or 1,007 units for the year. The continued sales increase can be attributed to impressive B-Class, E-Class and S-Class performances while the all-new CLA continues to make solid gains. On the luxury light trucks side, a total of 1,300 units were sold in May. This represents an increase of 8.2% compared to 2013 sales figures, and was fueled by particularly significant M-Class and G-Class sales growth. 

The diesel take rate for luxury light trucks was 78% for the month, while 4MATIC™ permanent all-wheel drive units accounted for 82.3% of overall passenger car and light truck sales in May (excluding smart).

smart vehicle sales amounted to a total of 146 units. This represents an increase of 5% for the month, and pushed year-to-date growth to 54.1% or 248 units with 706 smart fortwos retailed so far in 2014. 

Sprinter sales reported the best month ever in the brand's history with a record-breaking total of 473 units delivered in May. This represents a gain of 38.7% for the month, and propels year-to-date growth to 25.3% with a total of 1,722 units delivered so far in 2014.

The Mercedes-Benz Pre-Owned division also recorded an excellent performance with 1,396 vehicles delivered for the month. This is an increase of 58 units or 3.3% compared to the same time period last year and represents an overall growth to 4.3% or 181 vehicles with 5,646 Pre-Owned units delivered year-to-date.  

"May was another exceptional month for Mercedes-Benz Canada as we continued to see impressive sales across our entire model range.  We also established a new sales record for Sprinter as it continues to set several benchmarks in its segment," said Tim A. Reuss, President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Canada. "These outstanding sales results are directly proportional to the hard work and dedication of our employees and entire dealer network. As we gathered our dealers for our annual business meeting in Birmingham, Alabama, I was extremely proud to look back on five strong months and particularly thrilled to feel the level of excitement when our dealers saw and drove our next generation C-Class which will now be built in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The new 2015 C-Class will arrive in early fall."

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 21 locations across Canada. Through a nationwide network of 12 Mercedes-Benz owned retail operations and 43 authorized dealerships, Mercedes-Benz Canada sold 37,018 vehicles in 2013, the best year ever reported for Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc.

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

SOURCE: Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc.

JoAnne Caza, 416-847-7550, [email protected]; Nathalie Gravel, 416-847-7509, [email protected]