Sep 5, 2018   SOURCE: PR NewsWire

Mercedes-Benz Canada reports steady year-over-year sales as the company gears up for fall

TORONTO, Sept. 5, 2018 /CNW/ - Mercedes-Benz Canada and its national dealer network reported sales of 3,373 vehicles in August, bringing to 34,358 the total number of passenger cars, luxury light trucks, vans and smart fortwo vehicles sold year-to-date. As in previous months, primary volume drivers included the C-Class Sedan, as well as the GLC and GLE SUVs.

August sales of passenger cars and luxury light trucks were nearly equal, at 1,376 and 1,396 units delivered respectively, for a total of 2,772 Mercedes-Benz vehicles sold. In the passenger car segment, the S-Class family saw steady growth (+3.2%), which was bolstered by demand for the S-Class Sedan (+14.8%) and Cabriolet (+14.3%). Monthly sales of the E-Class Cabriolet (+240.0%) also stood out. Among luxury light trucks, the GLC SUV and Coupe proved to be the most popular.

Year-to-date, Mercedes-Benz Canada sold 29,491 passenger vehicles, which comprised 14,077 passenger cars and 15,414 luxury light trucks. The top volume-driver so far in 2018 has been the C-Class Sedan, followed closely by the GLC SUV. The E-Class Cabriolet (+102.3%) and Coupe (+49.4%) saw noteworthy sales increases, as did the GLE SUV (+23.1%).

In August, the Mercedes-Benz Vans division retailed 578 vehicles, representing an 18.4% growth compared to August 2017. This result contributed to year-to-date sales of 4,631 units, up 7.9% over the same period last year. Most notably, monthly deliveries of the Sprinter Cab Chassis increased by an impressive 308.8% compared with August 2017, while year-to-date sales of the model grew by 46.8%.

23 smart fortwo vehicles were delivered in August.

The Mercedes-Benz Pre-Owned division followed a record-breaking July with best-ever August sales of pre-owned and Certified Pre-Owned vehicles. Over the course of the month, 1,680 pre-owned units were retailed, representing an 8.1% growth compared with August 2017. Of that total, 1,320 units were Certified Pre-Owned, for an 8.0% growth over the same time last year. Year-to-date, the division reported 4.0% growth, with 12,045 pre-owned units delivered. That total comprised 9,354 Certified Pre-Owned units, for a year-over-year growth of 1.1%.

"Though demand for our products remains strong, a temporary shortage of inventory has impacted our ability to supply our customers with the range of vehicles they have come to expect," says Brian D. Fulton, President and CEO, Mercedes-Benz Canada. "In the coming months, the arrival of our model year 2019 passenger cars and SUVs will allow us to not only meet this high demand but to replenish our inventory as well. In the meantime, we have been working closely with our dealers to help mitigate any inconvenience these delays have caused."

                           AUGUST 2018            MTD                 YTD
                           -----------            ---                 ---

                                       2018 2017%              2018       2017%
                                       ----  ----               ----        ----

    Mercedes-Benz Vehicles                  2,772  3,728 -25.6 29,491      30,513 -3.3
    ----------------------                  -----  ----- ----- ------      ------ ----

    smart                                      23     25  -8.0    236         244 -3.3
    -----                                     ---    ---  ----    ---         --- ----

    Mercedes-Benz Vans                        578    488  18.4  4,631       4,290  7.9
    ------------------                        ---    ---  ----  -----       -----  ---

    TOTAL                                   3,373  4,241 -20.5 34,358      35,047 -2.0
    -----                                   -----  ----- ----- ------      ------ ----

About Mercedes-Benz Canada
Mercedes-Benz Canada is responsible for the sales, marketing and service of Mercedes-Benz and Mercedes-AMG passenger vehicles, Mercedes-Benz Vans and smart. Headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc. employs approximately 1,700 people in 21 locations across Canada. Through a nationwide network of 11 Mercedes-Benz own retail operations and 48 authorized dealerships, Mercedes-Benz Canada sold 52,298 vehicles in 2017. This represents the best year ever for the company and has positioned Mercedes-Benz as the top luxury manufacturer in Canada for the fourth consecutive year.

Further information from Mercedes-Benz is available at media.mercedes-benz.ca.

SOURCE Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc.