Mercedes-Benz August deliveries rise 53.1% in China

[FRANKFURT] Daimler said sales of Mercedes-Benz cars rose 17.6 per cent in August boosted by an 81.3 per cent increase in registrations of its C-Class sedan and as demand in China once again defied a broader downturn with deliveries up 53.1 per cent.

Mercedes-Benz said on Friday it sold 139,802 cars in August, posting record sales for the 30th month in succession. Year-to-date 1,187,980 customers took delivery of a passenger car bearing the three-pointed star.

In China, demand for the locally produced C-Class sedan and the new GLA compact offroader helped to drive sales.

Growth is expected to continue given the launch of new vehicles such as the S-Class convertible, Ola Kaellenius, board member responsible for marketing and sales said.

Deliveries rose 10.5 per cent in Europe, and 4.8 per cent in the United States, Daimler said.

Sales of Smart vehicles rose 9.4 per cent in August to 6,317 registrations.

REUTERS