Mercedes-Benz Canada shatters first quarter sales records

TORONTO, April 6, 2015 /CNW/ - Mercedes-Benz Canada and its national dealer network announced that it surpassed a number of sales thresholds reaching an all-time high for the first quarter sales. What's more, this new record was achieved despite major setbacks to the logistics channels triggered by this year's extreme weather conditions.  

To date, the company has delivered a grand total of 9,280 units which pushed overall growth to 7.4% so far this year. This significant increase is the result of Mercedes-Benz passenger cars and luxury light trucks sales being ahead by 11.4% and of the Mercedes-Benz Vans Division surpassing last year's sales by 15.8%.

Exceptional March sales results further solidified the first three months of 2015 as the best first quarter ever with respect to sales and clearly positioned Mercedes-Benz as number 1 in the luxury segment. In fact, Mercedes-Benz passenger cars and luxury light trucks reported the best month ever in the company's history with a total of 3,702 units retailed which is ahead 9.9% when compared to March 2014. This performance was fueled by a sizeable increase in sales of the new generation C-Class, CLA, GLA and GLK.

On the Mercedes-Benz Vans side, the increase in sales of 13% equated to the best March performance ever for the division. This achievement was driven in part by the recent introduction of the Sprinter 4x4.

In March, the diesel take rate for luxury light trucks was 67.2%, while permanent all-wheel drive 4MATIC™ units accounted for 94.1% of overall passenger car and light truck sales (excluding smart).

smart reported a total of 52 vehicles sold in March.

The Mercedes-Benz Pre-Owned division recorded a total of 1,533 units sold for an increase of 12.6%, which resulted in the best month ever for pre-owned sales in Canada. These results helped propel overall year-over-year growth to 11.2%. With a grand total of 3,318 pre-owned units delivered so far in 2015, this is the best first quarter ever recorded by the division. Furthermore, year-to-date Certified Pre-Owned sales totaled 2,742 units for an increase of 17% and accounted for 82.6 % of the total volume of pre-owned sales.

"What better way to kick off the 60^th anniversary celebrations of Mercedes-Benz Canada than by shattering our all-time first quarter sales records. This company's relentless pioneering spirit has risen to great heights and I wish to sincerely thank our stellar dealer network, Mercedes-Benz employees and colleagues at Mercedes-Benz Financial Services for what we've achieved", said Tim A. Reuss, President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Canada. "We enter the second quarter of 2015 on the heels of the announcement which crowns the C-Class sedan as the 2015 World Car of the Year, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe as the 2015 World Luxury Car and the Mercedes-AMG GT as the 2015 World Performance Car. These awesome accolades will only further reinforce the compelling product offensive we have in store this year". 

MARCH 2015	MTD			YTD
	2015	2014	%	2015	2014	%
Mercedes-Benz vehicles	3,702	3,370	9.9%	8,151	7,316	11.4%
smart	52	320	-83.8%	125	458	-72.7%
Mercedes-Benz vans	390	345	13.0%	1,004	867	15.8%
TOTAL	4,144	4,035	2.70%	9,280	8,641	7.40%

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 23 locations across Canada. Through a nationwide network of 13 Mercedes-Benz owned retail operations and 43 authorized dealerships, Mercedes-Benz Canada sold 40,555 vehicles in 2014. This represents the best year ever for the company and has positioned Mercedes-Benz as the top luxury manufacturer in Canada.

SOURCE Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc.

For further information: JoAnne Caza, 416-847-7550, [e-mail]; Nathalie Gravel, 416-847-7509, [e-mail]; Further information from Mercedes-Benz is available on the internet at: www.media.mercedes-benz.ca