Mercedes-Benz Sales Fall 8%

Daimler AG reports that global year-in-year sales of its Mercedes-Benz brand models shrank 8% to 202,800 units last month. Third-quarter sales also fell 8%, to 526,300 vehicles.

Mercedes sales through the first nine months of 2018 were flat at 1.72 million units. Daimler notes that September deliveries were hurt by delays in certifying some models to meet Europe’s new WLTP (World Harmonized Light Vehicle Test Procedure) emission protocol, which took effect on Sept. 1

Daimler says Mercedes sales in China, the company’s largest national market, climbed 7% to a record 54,600 units last month. But September deliveries in Europe fell 9% to 91,600 vehicles, including a 17% drop in Germany. Monthly demand in North America dropped 10% to 31,300 units.