Mercedes-Benz Mid-East hits another sales record

In 2008, a total of 19,070 Mercedes-Benz vehicles where delivered across the region compared with 16,830 in 2007. In just three years, the Dubai-headquarted sales and marketing office has lifted annual deliveries from 13,898 and increased its market share to over 45% compared to its leading German competitors.

Frank Bernthaler, Director, Sales and Marketing, Mercedes-Benz Cars, Middle East and Levant, said:

"Despite a difficult market and the effects of regional holidays in December, this result cements the position of Mercedes-Benz as the leading supplier of luxury German vehicles in the region."

"With the region's leading distributor network and the right products at the right prices we have continued to offer value for money and great residuals on our new cars which also makes them ideal used car buys," Bernthaler added.

Deliveries of the award-winning Mercedes-Benz C-Class rose by over 32% in 2008 ending the year at 5,239 compared to the previous year's total of 3,958.

The luxury premium S-Class range continued to be the region's favourite with sales up to 6,756 v. 6,696 the previous year.

In its run-out year, the popular mid-range E-Class retained its status as a family favourite. The E-Class continued to outsell its German competitors across the region with deliveries at 4,204 compared to 4,102 in 2007.

Other highlights included gains in the luxury SUV segment with the award-winning GL-Class full-size luxury SUV, the ground-breaking R-Class, the ML-Class, the new compact GLK and the legendary G-Class all performing well. Total SUV delieries were up over 27% to 2,327 v 1,524 in 2007.

"The award-winning C-Class continues to be a huge hit across the market and the mid-range E-Class has continued to sell well before we launch the new version in the second quarter of 2009," added Bernthaler. "This year will be difficult and I challenge any manufacturer to predict what will happen in terms of deliveries in the Middle East. However, with new product, including a hybrid version of the best-selling S-Class, new initiatives on fleet and used car sales, as well as continued investment in showrooms and service facilities by our loyal distributors across the region, we expect to maintain our status as the luxury German car champion."

Worldwide, the Mercedes-Benz Cars division delivered 1,256,600 vehicles to customers in 2008 (2007: 1,285,900, minus two percent). As a result, sales at Mercedes-Benz Cars almost matched the previous year's level, despite the massive market declines in the second half of the year.