Mercedes-Benz Canada reports 2009 as the company's best year ever

    
    -   Best year ever Mercedes-Benz and smart combined sales with 26,943
        units delivered (+ 11.7%)
    -   Best year ever Mercedes-Benz sales with 24,276 units retailed
        (+ 19.2%)
    -   Best year ever Mercedes-Benz light trucks sales with 9,609 units sold
    -   Best year ever pre-owned sales with 8,219 units delivered (+ 19.5%)
    

TORONTO , Jan. 5 /CNW/ - Mercedes-Benz Canada reported today that the company has ended the year by recording numerous all-time sales records. With 26,943 units retailed, Mercedes-Benz group shattered 2008's all-time record-breaking results by 2,826 units. This represents an increase of 11.7% for combined Mercedes-Benz, smart, AMG, SLR and Maybach vehicles delivered throughout 2009.

Mercedes-Benz vehicle sales had already surpassed 2008 year-end results by the end of October, and with 24,276 vehicles now delivered to customers, achieved an increase of 19.2% or 3,908 units compared to 2008. This fantastic achievement amounts to by far the best ever year-end total for Mercedes-Benz.

Passenger car sales totaled 14,667 units for the year. Luxury light trucks reported 9,609 units sold, which represents the best year ever and an increase of 89.3% or 4,534 units.

Buoyant December pre-owned sales propelled the year-end total to 8,219 units. This represents the best year ever for pre-owned sales in Canada , and an increase of 19.5% or 1,340 units compared to last year's results.

In 2009, smart welcomed the exclusive limited three edition and the sporty BRABUS coupe and cabriolet to its line-up and delivered a total of 2,667 smart fortwos to customers.

A total of 1,819 Mercedes-Benz vehicles were registered in December. This represents an increase of 14.5% or 231 units over 2008's monthly results, and the best December on record for the Mercedes-Benz brand.

Total passenger car sales of 1,021 for the month remained consistent with December 2008 levels, while the luxury light truck side continued to record impressive gains with 798 units delivered throughout the month. These exceptional results represent a gain of 249 units or 45.4% over December 2008 , and were fueled by continued strong demand across the entire model range from the GLK-Class right though to the GL-Class. With 226 smart fortwos retailed in December, the smart side ended the year by recording a gain of 76 units or 50.7% for the month.

Pre-owned Mercedes-Benz sales reported their best December ever with 593 units sold. This is up 37% from December 2008 .

Throughout the year, Mercedes-Benz consistently exceeded the company's previous monthly and quarterly sales records with the brand reporting 12 consecutive best ever months in 2009. While each model range performed very well, there were some exceptional results that stood out including strong C-Class and M-Class model sales which totaled 7,317 and 3,146 units respectively. This year the Mercedes-Benz product range was further bolstered by the launch of the sporty new GLK-Class SUV, the luxurious and technologically advanced E-Class Sedan and the stunning new E-Class Coupe. Demand for the GLK350 4MATIC was incredibly strong right from its introduction, and this extraordinary new vehicle has now become the industry's all-time single year sales leader in the luxury compact sport utility segment with an impressive 5,012 units retailed in 2009. In addition, the all-new E-Class Sedan and Coupe dominated their segment, and in the high-end luxury category S-Class sales also continued to lead the group.

The overall diesel sales ratio of 72.4% demonstrated that the range of cleanest diesel SUVs continue to be a top choice among Canadians because they offer a fuel efficient, versatile and environmentally conscious solution that meets North American BIN5 and ULEV emissions without compromising luxury, passenger space, or performance.

The award-winning 4th generation 4MATIC(TM) permanent all-wheel-drive system offers drivers maximum confidence and handling control on any road condition and continued to be available in four passenger car classes (C-, E-, S-, and CL-Class), and across the entire luxury light truck vehicle range in all SUV classes, (GLK-, M-, R-, GL-, G-Class). A ratio of 87.3% C-Class, 76.7% E-Class, 88.1% S-Class and 81.1% CL-Class were sold as 4MATIC(TM) models. Total 4MATIC(TM) volume represented 77.0% of overall 2009 sales across all model lines this year, excluding smart.

This year Mercedes-Benz and smart vehicles continued to consistently set industry standards with trademark characteristics such as quality, attractive designs, and leadership in advanced safety features. The company earned a myriad of prestigious national and international awards throughout 2009, and some highlights include: the smart fortwo receiving the Canadian Black Book award for "Best Retained Value" and the ecoENERGY for Vehicles award as the most fuel efficient vehicle in the two-seater category for the second consecutive year. The GLK350 4MATIC(TM) was named one of Canadian Driver's "Top Picks for 2010" and also awarded L'Annuel de automobile's 2010 "Utilitaires de luxe compacts". The M-Class was awarded Le Guide de l'Auto's 2010 "Best Mid-size Luxury SUV", the E-Class was a Canadian Driver "Top Picks for 2010", while the S-Class was World of Wheels Magazine's "Editors Choice 2010" in the Prestige Sedan category, and the SL65 AMG was AutoNerve Magazine's "Best Luxury Vehicle 2009".

Mercedes-Benz Canada and its dealers continued to demonstrate their commitment to investing in, and further developing, a strong national dealership network by celebrating many grand openings and ground-breakings throughout the year. Zimmer Autosport Ltd. now offers customers an exclusive brand new Mercedes-Benz facility in Kamloops. M-B Oakville Autohaus, Performance Cars St. Catharines and Franke Ste-Agathe celebrated their grand openings after extensive construction. In Vancouver , operations were expanded with the opening of a new service facility at Verdun Place in Richmond , the undertaking of renovations to the sales centre in the Richmond Auto Mall and the official grand opening of Mercedes-Benz North Vancouver after a major expansion that doubled the size of the facility. In the Greater Montreal Area, two new dealerships officially opened in Boucherville and Mirabel. In addition, new dealers were appointed in Chicoutimi and St. John's , and both locations are currently erecting new facilities to better serve their respective customers.

President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Canada , Marcus Breitschwerdt, remarked: "I am thrilled that we were able to surpass numerous existing records throughout 2009 and record by far the best year in the company's history. This momentous accomplishment demonstrates that anything is possible when you combine a motivated, dedicated and hard-working team of professionals with a fascinating and unmatched range of class-leading products. In addition, the positive sales results demonstrate that major investments in our national dealer infrastructure and the improvements made to our sales and service processes at our corporately-held and privately-owned stores are better serving the needs of our valued customers."

Breitschwerdt continued, "On a product side, this year we look forward to welcoming the E-Class Cabriolet, Wagon, and BlueTEC diesel Sedan to complete the all-new E-Class family. In addition, we are pleased to welcome the Sprinter brand to the Mercedes-Benz group and strengthen our product range with another best-in-class product. We enter 2010 with an unyielding dedication to customer satisfaction, and a collective resolve to ensure that we will offer our customers outstanding vehicles that inspire confidence and guarantee an unparalleled ownership experience."

About Mercedes-Benz Canada

Mercedes-Benz Canada is responsible for the sales, marketing and service of the five brands within the Mercedes Car Group in Canada ; Mercedes-Benz, smart, AMG, Maybach and Sprinter. Headquartered in Toronto , Ontario, Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc. employs approximately 1,250 people in 19 locations across Canada . Through a nationwide network of 14 Mercedes-Benz owned retail operations and 39 authorized dealerships, Mercedes-Benz Canada sold 26,942 vehicles in 2009, 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

For further information: JoAnne Caza, [phone], [email protected]; Michael Minielly, [phone], [email protected]