Mercedes-Benz USA Hits Its Highest-Ever U.S. Volume With Sales Of 305,072

• Mercedes-Benz, smart and Sprinter All Set Records

MONTVALE, N.J., Jan. 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) today reported its highest year on record with 305,072 vehicles sold in 2012, representing a 15.4% increase over the 264,460 vehicles sold during the same period in 2011. The Mercedes-Benz model line alone also recorded a record year with sales of 274,134 for the year, up 11.8%. Smart and Sprinter model lines both achieved their highest volumes under the MBUSA umbrella with smart sales increasing 92.2% to 10,009 while a record month for Sprinter took the brand to 20,929 for 2012, an increase of 26.3%.

"A strong product offensive backed our retail network's commitment to providing a world-class ownership experience put the wind at our back and enabled us to outperform the market and take the brand to new heights in the U.S.," said Steve Cannon , president & CEO of MBUSA. "We're going to ride that momentum into 2013 with new products across the entire model line from entry point to flagship."

For December, the Mercedes-Benz product line alone posted sales of 28,145 vehicles (up 9.5% from 25,701 in December 2011) bringing MBUSA sales to a best-ever 31,372, up 12.0% from the 28,006 vehicles sold in December 2011.

Strong sales were recorded across the model line. The sporty C-Class – the gateway to the Mercedes-Benz brand for younger and first-time Mercedes-Benz buyers – recorded its highest year on record with sales of 81,697, up 17.9% over its year-to-date volume in 2011. The 9th generation E-Class followed with sales of 65,171, and the M-Class, MBUSA's top-selling SUV, rounded out the top three with sales of 38,101.

For December, sales at the high-end increased as well, with combined sales of S-, CL- and SL-Class vehicles increasing 18.9% percent to 17,416 (when compared to the 14,650 vehicles sold in 2011).

Separately, sales of Sprinter Vans increased by 39.9% for the month with sales of 2,231 compared to the 1,595 vehicles sold in December 2011.

Sales of the smart fortwo totaled 996 vehicles in December, up 40.3% for the month (compared to the 710 vehicles sold in December 2011).

Sales of the high-performance AMG models were 6,658 for the year a 27.5% increase of the 5,220 vehicles sold over the same period last year.

Sales of the company's BlueTEC diesel models were up 7.4% for the year at 15,416 compared to the 14,358 diesels sold in 2011.

Additionally, through the Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned (MBCPO) program, MBUSA sold 6,949 vehicles in December; an increase of 13.7% when compared to December 2011 (sales of 6,112 vehicles). On a year-to-date basis, MBCPO sold 80,380 vehicles, an increase of 7.8% over the comparable period (with sales of 74,571 vehicles).

Thanks to Sprinter, Mercedes beat BMW.

Thanks to Sprinter, Mercedes beat BMW.

BMW December 2012 - 43,055, YTD - 347,583

MB December 2012 - 31,372, YTD - 305,072

Am I missing something here?

Tell me what you are SMoKing, may be I need to try it too.

BMW Brand (no Mini or Rolls) sold 281,000 cars in the USA in 2012. Mercedes Brand sold 295,000. Because the Sprinter wears the 3-point star rather than a Frieghtliner or other badge, Mercedes outsold BMW.

Sprinter is gaining fast on the (stupidly named) gl- and glk-, at this pace a stripped-down, cheesy, refridgerator-white cargo van will be the 'truck face' of mercedees.