Mercedes Car Sales Climb 7% to Global 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.

Mercedes volume in March 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 rose 3% to 64,400 vehicles in western Europe, despite a 3% drop to 25,300 units in Germany.

In the January-March period, Mercedes sales increased 3% year over year to 350,500 vehicles. Volume climbed 11% to 78,200 units in North America to set a record for the first quarter.

Over the three-month period, the luxury brand's sales in Asia Pacific dipped 1% to 83,700 vehicles, largely because of a 12% slide to 45,400 units in China. Quarterly demand was flat at 134,400 vehicles in western Europe, dampened by a 6% slump to 53,100 units in Germany.