Mercedes-Benz reports the best month in the company's history and record-breaking first quarter sales results for the group

TORONTO, April 3, 2012 /CNW/ - Mercedes-Benz Canada and its national dealer network reported today that the company has delivered a grand total of 3,403 Mercedes-Benz and smart units throughout the month. This represents the best March on record for the group, and propelled overall sales growth to 13.8% or 952 vehicles on a year-to-date basis. At the end of the first quarter of 2012, a grand total of 7,853 units have been retailed, which is the best first quarter ever for Mercedes-Benz Canada.

Mercedes-Benz passenger cars and luxury light trucks reported the best month ever in the company's history with a total of 3,074 units retailed in March. These exceptional March results solidified the first three months of 2012 as the best first quarter ever with respect to sales. Overall, a total of 7,005 units have been delivered in 2012, which is ahead by 872 units or 14.2% year-to-date.

Passenger car sales totaled 1,743 units in March, which was fueled by impressive C-Class, E-Class, SLK-Class and CLS-Class sales. On the luxury light trucks side, a total of 1,331 units were sold. This represents an increase of 290 vehicles or 27.9% compared to March 2011, and can be attributed to strong performance across the entire luxury light truck vehicle range and particularly strong M-Class and R-Class sales.

The diesel take rate for luxury light trucks was 74.2% for the month, while permanent all-wheel drive 4MATIC™ units accounted for 85.7% of overall passenger car and light truck sales in March (excluding smart).

smart reported a total of 78 vehicles sold in March.

A total of 251 Mercedes-Benz Sprinters were delivered throughout the month. With 609 units retailed in 2012, Sprinter sales were up 25.3% or 123 units on a year-to-date basis.

The Mercedes-Benz Pre-Owned division reported 1,435 vehicles sold, which is the best month ever for Mercedes-Benz Pre-Owned sales in Canada. This represents an increase of 319 units or 28.6% for the month, and propelled overall growth to 35.4% or 853 vehicles with a grand total of 3,263 Pre-Owned units delivered so far in 2012.

"I am extremely pleased to end the first quarter of 2012 by reporting such stellar sales results," said Tim A. Reuss, President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Canada. "I would like to express my profound gratitude on behalf of the entire company to every dealer in our Canadian network for their individual contributions to these outstanding figures. We are extremely fortunate to be represented by such a distinguished and highly motivated group of brand champions from coast-to-coast. Our customers can be assured that the collective resolve of every employee from our head office through to our retail operations will remain squarely focused on providing extraordinary products and an unrivaled ownership experience at every turn."

About Mercedes-Benz Canada

Mercedes-Benz Canada is responsible for the sales, marketing and service of the four brands within the Mercedes-Benz Group in Canada: Mercedes-Benz, smart, AMG, and Maybach.  Headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc. employs approximately 1,300 people in 19 locations across Canada.  Through a nationwide network of 13 Mercedes-Benz owned retail operations and 40 authorized dealerships, Mercedes-Benz Canada sold 32,914 vehicles in 2011, the best year ever reported for 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