Mercedes-Benz Canada reports its best year ever with 37,018 vehicles retailed in 2013

Best year ever for the group in the following categories:

• Mercedes-Benz and smart combined sales of 37,018 units
• Mercedes-Benz passenger car and luxury light truck sales of 31,357 units 
• Mercedes-Benz passenger car sales of 17,839 units
• Mercedes-Benz luxury light truck sales of 13,518 units 
• Mercedes-Benz Sprinter sales of 3,424 units 
• AMG sales up 21.8% overall in 2013

TORONTO, Jan. 6, 2014 /CNW/ - Mercedes-Benz Canada and its national dealer network reported today that the company has surpassed a number of previously established sales records by delivering a grand total of 37,018 Mercedes-Benz and smart units throughout 2013. This impressive total represents by far the best year ever for Mercedes-Benz Canada, and an overall increase of 4.3% or 1,515 units when compared to the company's record-breaking 2012 sales results. 

Mercedes-Benz passenger car and luxury light truck sales in 2013 totaled 31,357 units. This exceeds last year's notable sales figures by 4.2% or 1,251 vehicles. Passenger car sales totaled 17,839 units for the year. This is ahead by 6.1% and allowed Mercedes-Benz to maintain its leadership position in the luxury passenger car segment in Canada. Luxury light truck sales amounted to 13,518 units, which is also the best sales performance numbers ever recorded in the company's history.  

With 164 smart fortwos delivered in December, smart closed out the year with a total of 2,237 vehicles retailed. In 2013, smart was pleased to celebrate the official start of deliveries of the smart fortwo electric drive. This zero-local emission two-seater represents a game-changing, intelligent transportation solution that has been very well-received by Canadians since it launched in April. 

The Mercedes-Benz Vans division reported a strong finish for the year with 294 Sprinters sold. This helped propel 2013 sales to 3,424 units, which is ahead by 13.8% and represents the best year ever for Mercedes-Benz Sprinter sales in Canada.

The Mercedes-Benz Pre-Owned division reported 832 retail deliveries throughout December, which is up 1.7% for the month. At the end of the year, a total of 13,173 Certified Pre-Owned vehicles were registered by dealerships from coast-to-coast.  

The diesel take rate for luxury light trucks was 78.2% for the month and 71.4% for the year, while permanent all-wheel drive 4MATIC™ units accounted for 85.0% of passenger car and luxury light truck sales in December and 80.2% overall in 2013 (excluding smart).

In its first full year on sale, the next generation B-Class proved to be an extremely popular choice with 3,207 cars retailed. Bolstered by the popularity of the new GLK 250 BlueTEC, GLK-Class sales were up 13.3% with 5,979 units sold. The M-Class and GL-Class each outsold their closest competitors with 4,804 and 2,408 units registered, while the E-Class and S-Class dominated the luxury high segment. In addition, the Mercedes-Benz brand's two iconic nameplates reported yearly increases, with sales of the SL-Class and G-Class up 18.8% and 64.6% respectively in 2013. 

This past year included many highlights, but one of the proudest moments for the company was hosting the International press launch for the next generation 2014 S-Class. In July, Canada welcomed over 700 journalists from around the world in Toronto and the Muskoka region for their first opportunity to experience the numerous refinements and advanced technologies offered by the all-new S-Class. This flagship sedan has truly defined luxury from the very beginning, and the new model is no exception as it continues to set the benchmark in the segment.

AMG sustained its exceptional momentum in Canada with 1,456 vehicles retailed in 2013. This represents a 21.8% gain when compared to last year's results. The continued growth this year can be attributed to the launch of the facelifted E 63 AMG 4MATIC Sedan, the introduction of the highly anticipated new CLA 45 AMG and GL 63 AMG, and particularly strong demand for the 507 Edition C-Class Coupe and Sedan and the G 63 AMG. 

Mercedes-Benz and the company's authorized dealers continued to invest in the national retail network by celebrating the groundbreaking of a new location for Weber Motors in Edmonton and three new dealership openings including Mercedes-Benz Gatineau, Mercedes-Benz St-Nicolas and Mercedes-Benz Langley. In addition, Mercedes-Benz Nanaimo, Mercedes-Benz Peterborough and Mercedes-Benz London officially opened expansive new facilities to better serve existing and potential customers in their respective regions, and Automobiles Silver Star Montreal Inc. completed the significant expansion of a separate Pre-Owned, Sprinter and service facility.

"With record breaking sales and continued significant investment to further strengthen our Canadian dealer network, 2013 has been a thrilling year from start to finish. We accomplished a lot with the unwavering support of our outstanding dealers, head office staff and colleagues at Mercedes-Benz Financial Services," said Tim A. Reuss, President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Canada. "Each person from the aforementioned groups played a crucial role in helping us achieve great success and surpass our 2013 goals. I am profoundly grateful for their collective hard work, and sincerely appreciate everyone's ongoing efforts to proudly represent our brands with the utmost dedication and care."  

Reuss continued: "On the product side, we celebrated the launch of many exciting vehicles including the sporty new CLA-Class, the flagship S-Class and the next generation E-Class family including the extremely fuel efficient E 250 BlueTEC 4MATIC. From the revolutionary zero local-emission smart fortwo electric drive and versatile B-Class through to the legendary G-Class, opulent S-Class and everything in between, there has never been a more exciting range of exceptional vehicles in our company's history. Our innovative nature and pioneering spirit won't stop there though. With the highly anticipated new C-Class, the stunning S-Class Coupe and the all-new GLA-Class still to come, 2014 promises to be another very exciting year for the three-pointed star in Canada." 

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.

SOURCE: Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc.

For further information: JoAnne Caza, 416-847-7550, [email protected]; Michael Minielly, 416-847-7509, [email protected]; Further information from Mercedes-Benz is available on the internet at: www.media.mercedes-benz.ca