Beijing, August 11, 2009 – Mercedes-Benz maintained its momentum from the first half of the year with an impressive delivery of more than 31,700 Mercedes-Benz, smart and Maybach units in the first seven months in Mainland China, representing a soaring sales growth of 49% year-on-year. Mercedes-Benz's exceptional start to the second half, with total sales of 4,800 units in July alone and a 45% growth compared to last year, marks the fifth consecutive month that Mercedes-Benz has achieved a sales growth exceeding 40% year-on-year. This remarkable performance not only stands out among global Mercedes-Benz regions, but also far outshines the growth of other luxury automakers in the China market, demonstrating Mercedes-Benz's deep insight and prompt response to Chinese market.

"In the first seven months of the year, the government's stimulus package contributed to China's stable economic growth, which has led to a great influx of young elites becoming Mercedes-Benz customers. We are very attentive to the needs of these new elite, and thus are introducing many new product models that are increasingly young, dynamic, and leading the trend," said Mr. Klaus Maier, President & CEO of Mercedes-Benz (China) Ltd. "These new models further diversify and enrich our product line-up while incorporating a more youthful touch, contributing to an overall product structure that better meet the needs of the Chinese market and allows Mercedes-Benz to continue achieving sustained development and growth. "

Thus far this year, around 10 new models have been launched with brand name of Mercedes-Benz and smart in China, further enriching the product line-up with models that have already demonstrated great success for Mercedes-Benz in the market. Among these, the new luxury sports tourer B-Class sets a new segment of the "Luxury Sports Tourer" and has experienced continued growth, with a total of more than 1600 units delivered since its January launch in Mainland China and its July sales rising 160% compared to last month. Sales of the compact luxury SUV GLK-Class also have been very positive, with deliveries exceeding 2,100 vehicles since its arrival in showrooms in the first month of the year. The innovative two-seater smart has also continued to enjoy an upward sales growth since its April launch as a well-received, trend-setting city car. Approximately 900 units of the two-seater can now be found on the streets of Chinese cities.

Among all the newly launched models, the imported all-new E-Class has without doubt been the brightest star, esteemed as "The World Best Business Sedan." Just launched in July, it has already been warmly welcomed by business elites, with hundreds of units delivered after only ten days of it official launch in the market, already exhibiting the additional sales momentum it will generate in the Chinese market.

The locally produced new generation C-Class, aimed towards young elites, is particularly popular in China, where 8,900 customers have purchased the sedan version since the beginning of the year, once again cementing its status as the most popular Mercedes-Benz model and one of the principal sales forces in China. With an extraordinary growth in the first seven months, the C-Class pulled even closer to its competitors and secured 25% of the market share in its segment.

Mercedes-Benz's SUV lineup demonstrated tremendous growth in July as well. The R-Class has enjoyed positive sales growth for seven consecutive months, with a boost of 88% year-on-year in July, once again positioning China as the largest market in the world for the R-Class. Additionally, China has now become the third largest market globally for the M-Class, which remained strong as one of the top-sellers in the SUV segment with a 55% jump this month and consistent sales growth in the past few months. SUV sales were led once more by the luxury seven-seater SUV GL-Class, which experienced an extraordinary three-digit year-on-year growth for the third consecutive month.

During the peak of the summer months, the four-door coupé CLS-Class led the overall growth of the Mercedes-Benz's sports car family for the third month in a row with a significant 48% increase year-on-year in July. Mercedes-Benz is further reinforcing its leadership in the luxury sports car segment with its all-new E-Class Coupé, for which pre-sale orders have just begun. Perceived as the “World's Best Looking Coupé," its sleek design and outstanding performance will satisfy successful and passionate elites who seek a vehicle that offers the ultimate, unforgettable driving experience.

In the upcoming months, Mercedes-Benz plans to launch more than 10 new models, bringing in the most up-to-date new product experiences to fulfill the individual needs of its customers. Of these, the highly anticipated new generation S-Class models will be launched at the end of this month, reinforcing the S-Class' leadership role in the top-luxury segment. As the world's best luxury saloon, the S-Class has maintained steady growth in the past seven months thanks to its dynamic design, superior comfort and safety innovations, all of which contribute to China becoming the biggest market for S-Class in the world. The new generation S-Class models, with even more dynamic design, added comfort and pioneering safety and technology innovations, will reiterate its claim to be the leader and pioneer for automotive progress.