Mercedes-Benz has recorded sales growth for the first half of this year.

The brand has posted an impressive 11 per cent increase year-to-date compared to the same period last year, according to official VFACTS figures released last week. Internationally, Mercedes-Benz recorded its best ever June result, quarter result and the best first half of sales ever.

“The expansion of the Mercedes model line-up has helped contribute to our impressive sales for the first six months of this year,” said Horst von Sanden, managing director for Mercedes Car Group in Australia.

“It is great to see that customers are reacting positively to the Mercedes-Benz model expansion which seeks to offer the premium product in each market segment competed in.

“We anticipate that this sales growth will continue for the second half of 2006, with the introduction of the new generation E-Class, the all new GL-Class, the full availability of new engine variants across our product range and with the continuing popularity of the S-Class, M-Class, B-Class, A-Class and R-Class,” he said.

The new S-Class, the flagship from Mercedes-Benz, which was released in Australia in February, continues to dominate the upper large greater than $100,000 segment with year-to-date sales of 265 units. This class leading vehicle, boasting a host of technical innovations will soon be joined by the all new V8 S 450 and the unsurpassed S 65 AMG in the fourth quarter this year.

The all new M-Class has recorded 1,324 units year-to-date, representing a 148 per cent increase over the same period last year. The M-Class range will soon be joined by the entry level new V6 diesel ML 280 CDI in September, set to increase diesel sales in the M-Class range.

With the dimensions of a compact car and the interior spaciousness of an SUV, the B-Class range has proven popular with customers. Consisting of the B 200, B 200 TURBO and the recently released diesel B 180 CDI, 728 customers have taken delivery in only nine months on sale, well above company expectations. With the B 180 CDI now available in Mercedes-Benz dealerships around the country, the first compact diesel from Mercedes-Benz will add to the appeal of the B-Class range.

The CLS-Class, introduced into Australia in June last year, has also greatly exceeded company expectations with 815 vehicles delivered to customers in its first full year on sale.

In April this year, Mercedes-Benz debuted the versatile and luxurious six-seater R-Class. Close to 100 customers have taken delivery of an R-Class, with the most popular being the top of the range R 500 long wheelbase.

The product offensive continues for the brand in the second half of 2006 with the new generation E-Class due to arrive in September and the large seven-seater four-wheel drive GL-Class arriving in November.

Mercedes-Benz R-Class

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