Mercedes-Benz Middle East sets half-year sales record

Sales of Mercedes-Benz passenger cars rose over 12 percent in June with a total of 1,123 units sold compared to 1,000 in the same month last year.

The United Arab Emirates continues to be the largest market for the luxury automotive brand with half-year sales of 3,292. However, Saudi Arabia is the best performer with January to June sales up nearly 160 percent to a total of 2,254 units.

The flagship S-Class continued to expand its leadership in the region's luxury segment with half-year sales of 4,100.

"Sales of Mercedes-Benz cars continue to be strong across the region reaching an all time high in the first half of 2006," said Johannes Fritz, Director, Sales and Marketing, Mercedes Car Group, Middle East. "With the luxurious new generation E-Class reaching the showrooms in August, our first full-size SUV, the powerful and capable GL-Class, arriving in September and the continuing enhancement of our exciting range of high performance AMG models, I am expecting Mercedes-Benz sales to be higher than last year."
Worldwide, Mercedes Car Group sales in June 2006 rose by six percent to 118,800 units (June 2005: 111,600). In the first half of 2006, deliveries of Mercedes Benz, Maybach, and smart brand cars rose by nine percent to the record figure of 627,300 units (Jan - June 2005: 577,000).

Mercedes-Benz June sales worldwide increased by nine percent to the record figure of 106,200 units (June 2005: 97,500).