Mercedes-Benz Canada Breaks Half Year Sales Records

TORONTO, July 5, 2016 /CNW/ - Mercedes-Benz Canada and its national dealer network announced today that the company has retailed a record-breaking total of 24,087 units so far in 2016, up 8.2% over last year. This outstanding performance is the company's best-ever result for the first half of the year, and was largely driven by sales of Mercedes-Benz luxury light trucks and vans, which saw increases of 17.6% and 21.2% respectively over the same period in 2015. These results continue to place Mercedes-Benz in the number one position within the Canadian luxury segment.

With a total of 13,257 units retailed between April 1 and June 30, Mercedes-Benz Canada surpassed its existing all-time record for second quarter sales. June's record-breaking results contributed to this impressive outcome: the month saw a 2.1% increase in passenger car and luxury light truck sales. This performance was triggered by a notable increase in sales of compact luxury vehicles including the B-Class, CLA, and GLA. The newly-introduced C-Class Coupe shone with 174 units sold, representing a 270.2% increase over June 2015. Luxury light truck sales maintained their upward trajectory with a 10.8% increase over the course of the month, for a 17.6% year-to-date increase in sales. smart sold 31 units in June, and is ahead 62.2% so far in 2016.    

In June, Mercedes-Benz Vans reported its best-ever month with a record-breaking 661 units sold, representing an impressive increase of 32.2% over June 2015. This brings the six-month cumulative total to 2,938 units sold, exceeding last year's record-breaking year-to-date results by a remarkable 21.2%.

The Mercedes-Benz Pre-Owned division achieved its best-ever June results, delivering 1,550 units, of which 1,238 were Certified Pre-Owned. This constituted a 9.5% increase in sales volume over the same period in 2015. The division recorded a total of 8,176 units sold year-to-date, for an increase of 5.2%. Year-to-date Certified Pre-Owned sales totaled 6,651 units for an increase of 1.6%, which accounted for 81.3% of the total volume of pre-owned sales.

"Thanks to the excellent work of our dealers, employees, and MBFS, Mercedes-Benz Canada has seen truly phenomenal results so far in 2016. It's clear that our impressive range of products has resonated with new and existing customers alike in every category and virtually every class," said Brian D. Fulton, President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Canada. "This fantastic, sustained monthly momentum bodes well for our performance for the remainder of the year as we prepare to launch exciting new models including the smart fortwo cabrio, C-Class and S-Class Cabriolets, and the SLC and SL roadsters. We are all very excited about the newly-released E-Class, which is currently arriving at dealerships across Canada. Equipped with industry-leading innovations in driver assistance, comfort, and safety, this new generation E-Class is a true masterpiece of intelligence."

JUNE 2016	MTD			YTD
	2016	2015	%	2016	2015	%
Mercedes-Benz vehicles	3,781	3,671	3.0	20,549	19,470	5.5
smart	31	63	-50.8	600	370	62.2
Mercedes-Benz Vans	661	500	32.2	2,938	2,425	21.2
TOTAL	4,473	4,234	5.6	24,087	22,265	8.2

About Mercedes-Benz Canada
Mercedes-Benz Canada is responsible for the sales, marketing and service of the Mercedes-Benz and AMG passenger vehicles, Mercedes-Benz Vans and smart. Headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc. employs approximately 1,500 people in 21 locations across Canada. Through a nationwide network of 11 Mercedes-Benz owned retail operations and 46 authorized dealerships, Mercedes-Benz Canada sold 44,526 vehicles in 2015. This represents the best year ever for the company and has positioned Mercedes-Benz as the top luxury manufacturer in Canada for the second consecutive year.

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

SOURCE Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc.

Image with caption: "Luxury light truck sales maintained their upward trajectory with a 10.8% increase over the course of the month, for a 17.6% year-to-date increase in sales. (CNW Group/Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160705_C4044_PHOTO_EN_727816.jpg

For further information: JoAnne Caza, 416-847-7550, [email protected]; Nathalie Gravel, 416-847-7509, [email protected]