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In August, Mercedes-Benz increased deliveries worldwide by 15 percent to 79,200 vehicles. In Germany, the division’s largest sales market, the rise in demand experienced during the previous month continued in August. As a result, deliveries here amounted to 25,800 vehicles, or 20 percent more than in August 2004. Sales on the German market were especially boosted by the A-Class, with demand rising by 166 percent, as well as by the B-, M-, E- and CLS-Class.

In August, sales also were up again on foreign markets, with 53,400 vehicles sold and an increase of about twelve percent. Sales increases were posted in all triad markets: With deliveries of 19,300 vehicles, Mercedes-Benz USA recorded its highest August sales figure ever. This outstanding result was primarily due to the successful launch of the new M-Class and record sales of the E-Class. Mercedes-Benz also set new records in Italy (up 50 percent) and Spain (up eleven percent). Sales in the Asia/Pacific region rose by 15 percent to 6.700 units.

New models, new momentum; E-Class sedan again market leader

The new models launched so far this year (B- and M-Class) have met with a great market response. In fact, around 19,400 B-Class vehicles have been sold since the new model was introduced to the market in early June. Along with the new models slated for launch later this year — the R-Class and, in particular, the new S-Class — the new vehicles are expected to provide Mercedes-Benz with further momentum for a continuation of the upturn. The S-Class will be celebrating its world premiere at the IAA in Frankfurt on September 12.

Demand is also increasing for the established models. The E-Class with their new state-of-the-art V6 and V8 engines is doing particularly well. Sales of this model in Germany rose by six percent in August. In the U.S., the model even set a new sales record. With these results, the E-Class sedan became the global market leader in its segment in August. The SL and SLK roadsters also defend their position as market leaders. The SLK has achieved a record result of about 42,000 unit sales for the year to date.

smart: greater market share despite segment’s overall decline

In contrast to the small car segment’s current market decline, smart was able to boost sales substantially in the first eight months of the year, posting an increase of about eleven percent. Worldwide deliveries rose to more than 93,400 vehicles.

In August, sales were primarily driven by the smart fortwo. Boosted by the very positive response to the limited edition smart fortwo ‘purestyle’, incoming orders for this model were already very high within a few weeks after the vehicle’s announcement and before its official presentation at the IAA.

The smart forfour was also able to further increase its share of the stagnating small car market. In Germany, for example, the four-seater expanded its market share of the relevant segment by about two percentage points, clearly demonstrating its competitiveness.

Overview of Mercedes Car Group Sales

	In Aug. 2005	Change in %	Jan.-Aug. 2005	Change in %
Mercedes Car Group worldwide	86,600	12	760,800	0.1
of which Mercedes-Benz	79,200	14.7	667,400	-1.3
smart	7,400	-10.8	93,400	10.9
Mercedes Car Group
of which Western Europe	23,900	12.9	271,800	1.8
(excl. Germany)
Germany	27,900	13.8	221,300	-7.2
United States*	19,300	7.1	138,700	-1
Asia/Pacific	7,000	15.5	63,400	7.4

* Mercedes-Benz passenger cars