Retail customers drive Mercedes-Benz UK registrations to record levels in January 2012

Mercedes-Benz UK has reported record sales figures, according to SMMT’s month-end figures. A fast-start to 2012 has seen registrations increase by 20 per cent to 6,249 vehicles compared with the first month in 2011. The overall new car market in the UK was
up just 0.03 per cent in 2012; and Mercedes-Benz’s fast-start means the brand has reported a record January market share of 4.85 per cent.

Private buyers’ retail business is the foundation of the January success, with Mercedes-Benz reporting 20.5 per cent more registrations than in 2011 – the first significant increase in retail sales since the start of last year. 1571 new Mercedes-Benz were registered for private motorists in January.

The sales success was spread throughout the model range. The A-class family hatchback’s performance improved over 20 per cent to 791 cars, and 632 popular C-class coupes took to the roads. E-class Saloon registrations were up over 34 per cent to 940 new cars while the E-class Estate saw an 82 per cent increase with 327 registrations and the CLS four-dour coupe recorded 246 registrations.

smart’s iconic fortwo saw registrations increase 89 per cent in January 2012, with 385 new cars – and the success was spread between the coupe (up 86 per cent) and cabriolet (up 105 per cent).

Last year’s renewed focus on fleet and business sectors continues in 2012, and the sector recorded a 32 per cent increase over the first month of 2011.

Commercial Vehicles
Demand for new vans and trucks from Britain’s businesses also meant that Mercedes-Benz outperformed the UK market in all major sectors in January 2012. Vito registrations increased 71.8 per cent, Sprinter vans are 6.2 per cent up, and the whole two-axle rigid performance for Mercedes-Benz doubled to 292 units.

Atego increased 98 per cent, Actros was 78 per cent up, and the Fuso Canter’s performance improved an impressive 196 per cent over January 2011.

Marcus Breitschwerdt, President and CEO Mercedes-Benz UK explained, “Today’s results are a fine way to reward the efforts of our entire sales and service team across the UK. Strong new car sales to private customers have been helped with our attractive finance offers and service contracts being backed-up with great service and supply from our factories –we can get them, and we can sell them!"

“The new fleet team is continuing its excellent work, and the strong results for cars and commercial vehicles shows that Britain’s businesses are buying wisely.  They’re choosing premium products that, thanks to excellent whole-life costs, strong residuals and clean, efficient engines are more desirable and attainable than ever before.”

Breitschwerdt concluded by adding, “There’s still a long way to go in 2012 of course – but a strong January gives us a solid foundation upon which to build success throughout the rest of the year. The stunning New B-class is now in showrooms around the country, and today in Germany the UK trade media are learning the first details of Citan – our all-new small van that arrives this summer.  2012 will be a winning year for Mercedes-Benz UK!”

Posted in: Luxury,Mercedes-Benz,Sale Report