Mercedes-Benz Canada reports strong sales performance in May

TORONTO, June 3, 2013 /CNW/ - Mercedes-Benz Canada and its national dealer network reported today that the company has delivered a grand total of 3,300 Mercedes-Benz, Sprinter and smart vehicles during the month of May. Overall, a total of 14,028 units have been sold through the Mercedes-Benz Canadian retail network year-to-date.

Mercedes-Benz passenger cars and luxury light trucks recorded 2,820 units retailed. In total, passenger car sales amounted to 1,618 vehicles for the month. On the luxury light trucks side, a total of 1,202 units were sold. This represents an increase of 2.6% compared to May 2012, and can be attributed to particularly notable GLK-Class and GL-Class sales.

The C-Class continued to be an extremely popular choice among Canadians with 973 vehicles delivered. In addition, a total of 565 GLK-Class units and 259 GL-Class units were sold, which is ahead 14.6% and 62.9% respectively.

The diesel take rate for luxury light trucks was 73.9% for the month, while permanent all-wheel drive 4MATIC™ units accounted for 83.4% of overall passenger car and light truck sales in May (excluding smart).

smart reported a total of 139 vehicles sold in May.

A total of 341 Mercedes-Benz Sprinters were delivered throughout the month. These outstanding results represent a 64.7% increase for the month, and helped propel year-to-date growth to 29.4%.

The Mercedes-Benz Pre-Owned division reported 1,338 vehicles sold. A total of 5,465 Mercedes-Benz Pre-Owned vehicles have been delivered so far in 2013.

"I am pleased with May's sales performance and happy that our diesel success story in Canada continues. As expected, we have experienced very favourable consumer reaction to the new GLK 250 BlueTEC 4MATIC, and the GL-Class continues to be a top choice in this country," said Tim A. Reuss, President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Canada. "The excitement is continuing to build at our dealerships as we welcome the redesigned 2014 E-Class to our model range and look forward to the launch of the stylish new CLA-Class and flagship S-Class later this year. These highly anticipated vehicles all demonstrate our unrelenting commitment to innovation, and will help ensure that the three pointed star continues to lead the way in the premium segment."

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 41 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.

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