Global Mercedes Car Sales Climb 7% to Record High

Daimler AG's Mercedes-Benz car brand boosted its worldwide sales to 139,900 vehicles last month from 131,400 units a year earlier. March demand was the highest for any month in the marque's history.

The Mercedes make' March volume advanced in the U.S. (+7% to 24,600 vehicles) and Asia Pacific (+11% to 35,100 units). The latter included a 5% gain to 18,600 units in China. Demand for the luxury brand rose 3% to 64,400 vehicles in western Europe, despite a 3% drop to 25,300 units in Germany. Sales of Smart city cars increased 4% increase to 10,500 units.

In the January-March period, the car unit's volume grew 3% to 350,500 vehicles, including a 5% decline to 25,500 units at Smart. Demand for the Mercedes marque rose 3% year on year to 350,500 vehicles.

The brand's sales climbed 11% to 78,200 units in North America to set a record for the first quarter. Volume in Asia Pacific dipped 1% to 83,700 vehicles, largely because of a 12% slide to 45,400 units in China.

Sales of the Mercedes marque in the first three months of the year were flat at 134,400 vehicles in western Europe, dampened by a 6% slump to 53,100 units in Germany. Demand jumped 21% to a record 8,600 units in Russia.