Mercedes posts record sales and breaks the 100k mark for the first time in the UK

• Mercedes-Benz UK exceeds 100,000 new car registrations in a year for the first time
• 7,813 new cars registered in November 2013 – a best-ever month
• AMG registrations rise 47 per cent to 2,947 year to date (YTD)
• Van registrations increase 17.7 per cent YTD, to 26,730 units
• Actros again leads the truck division – up 42 per cent YTD

Mercedes-Benz UK’s record registration year continued in November 2013, with the company reporting its best-ever results, according to figures released today by SMMT.  The company is still the fastest-growing premium brand in the UK car market, with registrations growing 19 per cent over 2012’s previous records.

Passenger car registrations – at 7,813 for the month – were the best November result ever-seen, and contributed to a monthly market share of 4.9 per cent.  For the first time in its UK history, the company has achieved more than 100,000 new car registrations in a year – the YTD figure shows that 102,044 new cars have taken to Britain’s roads in 2013.  The 100,000th customer was Jamie Leigh Arndell, who collected her first Mercedes-Benz, a white A 180 CDI Sport, from the company’s retailer in Bristol, on Friday 29 November.  She joins the 16,397 drivers who have taken delivery of an A-Class so far this year.

Elsewhere, the new generation E-Class range is proving particularly popular, with all four body styles showing significant growth YTD.  E-Class Coupé is up nine per cent to 4,470 cars; E-Class Cabriolet up six per cent to 4,112; E-Class Estate shows an eight per cent rise to 4,001; whilst the E-Class Saloon is up to 14,505 new cars – an increase of 36 per cent YTD.

Deliveries of the new S-Class luxury saloon in November were almost double its nearest rival, and registrations of the new range and the run-out year of the old model are at 1,372 new cars, keeping S-Class as the most successful luxury saloon in the UK.

High performances were also reported across the company’s AMG range, with 2,947 cars registered so far in 2013 – a growth of 47 per cent.  The C 63 AMG remains the UK’s most popular choice, with 1,522 registered this year, and more than 320 A 45 AMGs have taken to the UK’s roads in 2013.

Commercial vehicles

A strong month saw van registrations rise 18.5 per cent in November 2013, with Vito up 29.2 per cent to 513 units.  Sprinter, with 18,488 registered YTD, reported an increase of 14.4 per cent so far this year.  Combined results mean that the Vans division is looking set to have a record-breaking performance in 2013 once the year-end results are published in a month.

In Trucks, deliveries of the new Antos and Arocs ranges began, but it was tractor units where the biggest success was shown.  Axor registrations were up 34.8 per cent in November, to 248 units, whilst Actros more than doubled the same month last year, with 459 units registered.  So far this year, 2,713 Actros have been registered – up 42 per cent on 2012.

Commenting on the results, Marcus Breitschwerdt, President and CEO Mercedes-Benz UK, commented:  “November 2013 has entered Mercedes-Benz UK’s history books as a real milestone.  Breaking through the 100,000 new car sales figure is a landmark achievement, helped by a strong model range – in fact we offer the widest choice of vehicles in the entire industry.  It’s fantastic to see that British customers are voting with their purchase and lease choices in record numbers.

“Our success isn’t confined to one part of our range though – as well as new compact cars like the A-Class and CLA, the extensive revisions we made to E-Class earlier this year have shown strong growth across all four body styles.  The car has been tailored to specifically meet UK demands and market conditions, and our engine and equipment packages are key in contributing to these numbers.”

Marcus Breitschwerdt continued:  “We’re also showing class-leading results in luxury and high-powered motoring, too.  We’ve been in run-out of the previous S-Class for most of the year, but still lead the segment despite sales of the new model only beginning recently.  And it’s great to see AMG sales continuing to accelerate hard.  Record after record is being broken.

“Our commercial vehicles division is recovering strongly too, with our vans on the verge of a significant best-ever record performance this year.  Market conditions have influenced the tractor segment, but as the first manufacturer to bring Euro 6 trucks to the UK, we’re seeing great results in both Euro 5 and Euro 6 products.”

Marcus Breitschwerdt concluded: “There’s only one month to go in 2013, and I’m confident that Mercedes-Benz UK will end the year in style.  Our significant, consistent record-breaking performance is due to a lot of factors – great products sold and serviced by a great team across our networks help of course.  But we’d be nowhere without our customers, who have a greater choice of cars, vans and trucks than ever before.  On behalf of the whole company my sincere thanks go to everyone who has chosen to join or remain in the Mercedes-Benz family this year.”