January 5, 2007
Daimler Chrysler automotive group announced today that unit sales at the Mercedes-Benz division rose by 3 percent in 2006 thanks to an increased interest and demand for its luxury vehicles. Luxury vehicles such as the Maybach and Smart brands also rose in sales, which sold 1.26 million Smart cars. As well as US, sales were also increased in 2006 in various regions such as the Asia-Pacific and Europe.
However, its brother Chrysler announced on Thursday that while unit sales outside North America rised, those in the U.S. market fell by a disappointing 6.6 percent. Overall, Chrysler sales fell by 4.5 percent.
The main growth outside the North Americas for Mercedes-Benz was in China, which was up at 33 percent. Sales in Japan also rose 11 percent. However, the figures of the Smart cars were disappointing and Daimler Chrysler has announced that it will refresh the Smart brand and renew its 2-seat model with the upcoming ForTwo.
In 2006, Maybach sold about 400 limousines and with the appearance of the newly introduced Maybach 62 S, we’re bound to see more happy figures. In total since its introduction in 2002, Maybach has sold around 1,900 units.
What does this mean to you? The luxurious brands of Mercedes-Benz are doing extremely well, while its parent companies, such as Chrysler, isn’t so hot. Mercedes-Benz also reported that sales of the S-Class did extremely well in 2006, so that’s a good thing.