Mercedes-Benz Canada retails over 52,000 units, maintains position as Canada's top luxury manufacturer

Best-ever year for the group saw record-breaking results in each of the following categories:

• Mercedes-Benz passenger vehicles, vans and smart combined sales of 52,298 units (+8.2%)
• Mercedes-Benz passenger car and light truck sales of 45,456 units (+12.2%)
• Mercedes-Benz passenger car sales of 22,781 (+7.2%) units
• Mercedes-Benz luxury light truck sales of 22,675 units (+17.6)
• Mercedes-Benz Pre-Owned sales reach 17,181 units (+7.7%)
• Mercedes-Benz Vans sales reach 6,474 units (+9.4%)
• Mercedes-AMG sales of 10,124 units (+50.6%)

TORONTO, Jan. 3, 2018 /CNW/ - Mercedes-Benz Canada and its national dealer network achieved record-breaking total sales of 52,298 passenger vehicles, vans and smart units in 2017, an 8.2% increase over the all-time sales record of 48,320 that was set in 2016. As a result, Mercedes-Benz is Canada's top luxury manufacturer for the fourth consecutive year.

In 2017, sales of Mercedes-Benz passenger cars and luxury light trucks equalled 45,456, up 12.2% from 40,526 the previous year. This total was divided almost evenly between the two segments: 22,781 (+7.2%) passenger cars were retailed versus 22,675 (+17.6%) luxury light trucks.

In the passenger car segment, the E-Class family of vehicles ? including the all-new E-Class Coupe and Cabriolet ? saw significant gains of 33.1%. The C-Class Coupe and Cabriolet also saw considerable year-over-year growth. In luxury light trucks, the GLC SUV and Coupe together boasted an 86.3% increase in sales over 2016.

Throughout its 50^th anniversary year, Mercedes-AMG maintained an impressive upward trajectory, with sales exceeding 10,000 units for the first time. In 2017, a total of 10,124 Mercedes-AMG units were retailed, a 50.6% increase over the previous record of 6,723 that was set in 2016. Notably, the number of AMG 43 models delivered rose by 82.2% compared with 2016. Mercedes-AMG unit sales have accounted for an increasingly large proportion of overall sales over the years: in 2014, the brand represented just 6.0% of total Mercedes-Benz passenger vehicle sales in Canada, while in 2017 it constituted 22.3% of overall sales.

Though Mercedes-AMG sales grew as a whole, there were some standout performances across the model lines. The number of Mercedes-AMG C 43 4MATIC Sedans retailed grew by 10.7%, while the new Mercedes-AMG E 43 4MATIC Sedan proved very popular with consumers as well. In terms of luxury light trucks, in 2017 the Mercedes-AMG G 63 SUV saw a 46.1% increase in sales compared with 2016, while the Mercedes-AMG GLE 43 4MATIC SUV and Coupe saw double-digit growth of 21.8% and 53.9%, respectively.

In 2017, Mercedes-Benz Vans maintained a spirited sales pace and ended the year with a total of 6,474 units (+9.4%). The number of Sprinter Cab Chassis delivered increased by 55.1% year-over-year, while the growing popularity of the Metris Cargo and Passenger vans resulted in a 43.1% growth in sales. The Sprinter and Metris vans once again stood out at the 2017 Vincentric Best Fleet Value in Canada awards, which recognize vehicle value in terms of overall lifecycle cost.

368 smart fortwo vehicles were delivered in 2017.

Mercedes-Benz Canada's Pre-Owned division earned outstanding results in 2017, achieving 11 record-breaking months. A record number of 17,181 units were retailed, for a 7.7% growth over 2016's best-ever results. The year also marked the best year for sales of Certified Pre-Owned vehicles. Between January and December 13,344 units were delivered (+5.1%), which represented 77.7% Certified Pre-Owned penetration.

"I am incredibly proud of our overall performance in 2017," says Brian D. Fulton, President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Canada. "Hard work, outstanding products, and innovative programs all came together to yield record returns. The entire management team at Mercedes-Benz Canada is grateful for the efforts of our employees and dealers alike. Thanks are also due to our colleagues at Mercedes-Benz Financial Services, with whom we collaborate so closely. There is an unmistakable energy across the entire dealer network as we look forward to what's in store for 2018."

About Mercedes-Benz Canada
Mercedes-Benz Canada is responsible for the sales, marketing and service of Mercedes-Benz and Mercedes-AMG passenger vehicles, Mercedes-Benz Vans and smart. Headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc. employs approximately 1,700 people in 21 locations across Canada. Through a nationwide network of 11 Mercedes-Benz owned retail operations and 48 authorized dealerships, Mercedes-Benz Canada sold 52,298 vehicles in 2017. This represents the best year ever for the company and has positioned Mercedes-Benz as the top luxury manufacturer in Canada for the fourth consecutive year.

Further information from Mercedes-Benz Canada is available at www.media.mercedes-benz.ca.

SOURCE Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc.