Mercedes posts record vehicle sales on U.S., China demand
Brand's western European volume drops 2.5%
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FRANKFURT -- Mercedes-Benz posted record global vehicle sales for September thanks to growth in China and the United States and despite falling volume in Europe.
Sales for Mercedes and Smart cars rose 2.4 percent to 132,606, parent Daimler said on Thursday.
"We are still on track to achieve a new sales record for the year as a whole. We expect further momentum in the fourth quarter, especially from our new models," said Mercedes sales chief Joachim Schmidt in a statement.
Sales in the key growth market of China rose 10 percent to 16,806 in September -- the strongest year-on-year increase since March for Mercedes. Rival Audi said on Thursday that its sales in China rose 20 percent to 35,512 last month.
Mercedes sales were strong in the United States, where demand rose 7 percent to 23,156, allowing Mercedes to remain the best-selling premium brand in the market.
The automaker's sales in western Europe were down 2.5 percent to 55,495. In Mercedes' home market, Germany, volume fell 7.9 percent to 22,566.
Global sales for Mercedes brand rose 2 percent to 123,358 while Smart rose nearly 9 percent to 9,248.
Schmidt said demand for the updated A class, which went on sale in September in Europe, had been strong, resulting in 70,000 orders for the model.
Reuters contributed to this report
You can reach David Jolley at djolley@crain.com.
