Daimler AG Reports a 3.8 Percent Increase for Mercedes-Benz and smart Vehicles in the U.S. for April 2011

NEW YORK, May 3, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Daimler AG (stock exchange symbol DAI) today reported U.S. sales of 19,624 Mercedes-Benz and smart vehicles, an improvement of 3.8 Percent compared to April 2010. All sales figures in this release are on an unadjusted basis unless otherwise noted.

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Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) reported April 2011 sales of 19,157 passenger cars and light truck vehicles and represents a 5.1 % improvement over April 2010, and the best April on record since April 2008. 1,115 Sprinter vans are included in this total. On a year-to-date basis, the 75,152 vehicles sold represent a 9.2% increase.  

The highest volume performers for the month were the E- and C-Class model lines. The 9th generation E-Class led the pack with sales of 5,342, up 17.9% over April 2010. The sporty C-Class - the gateway to the Mercedes-Benz brand for younger and first-time Mercedes-Benz buyers –continued its strong momentum with sales of 5,232, up 13.1% over last year. MBUSA's versatile SUV, the M-Class, finished third in volume with monthly sales of 1,990.  

On the high end, the commanding G-Class was up 29.4% over April 2010, and the company sold 54 of its supercar -- the SLS AMG -- bringing its year-to-date sales to 309. Sales of Sprinter Vans increased by 85.8% for the month, with sales of 1,115 - bringing a year-to-date total of 3,764 (up 94.3%).  

smart USA recorded 467 sales in April 2011. Total sales increased nearly 10 percent month-over-month from March 2011. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's 2011 Fuel Economy Guide, the smart fortwo continues to be the most fuel efficient, non-hybrid vehicle in the United States. As fuel prices continue to rise, consumers are attracted to the smart fortwo's estimated 41 miles per gallon on the highway according to EPA regulations.

Detailed vehicle sales information for MBUSA will be announced in a separate press release issued by Mercedes-Benz USA.A

Further information on Daimler is available on the internet at www.media.daimler.com

About Daimler

The company's founders, Gottlieb Daimler and Carl Benz, made history with the invention of the automobile in the year 1886. 125 years later, in anniversary year 2011, Daimler AG is one of the world's most successful automotive companies. With its divisions Mercedes-Benz Cars, Daimler Trucks, Mercedes-Benz Vans, Daimler Buses and Daimler Financial Services, the Daimler Group is one of the biggest producers of premium cars and the world's biggest manufacturer of commercial vehicles with a global reach. Daimler Financial Services provides its customers with a full range of automotive financial services including financing, leasing, insurance and fleet management. As an automotive pioneer, Daimler continues to shape the future of mobility. The Group applies innovative and green technologies to produce safe and superior vehicles which fascinate and delight its customers. With the development of alternative drive systems, Daimler is the only vehicle producer investing in all three technologies of hybrid drive, electric motors and fuel cells, with the goal of achieving emission-free mobility in the long term. This is just one example of how Daimler willingly accepts the challenge of meeting its responsibility towards society and the environment. Daimler sells its vehicles and services in nearly all the countries of the world and has production facilities on five continents. In addition to Mercedes-Benz, the world's most valuable automotive brand, Daimler's brand portfolio includes smart, Maybach, Freightliner, Western Star, Fuso, Setra, Orion and Thomas Built Buses. The company is listed on the stock exchanges of Frankfurt and Stuttgart (stock exchange symbol DAI). In the year 2010, the Daimler Group sold 1.9 million vehicles and employed a workforce of more than 260,000 people; revenue totaled euro 97.8 billion and EBIT amounted to euro 7.3 billion.

SOURCE Daimler Corporate Communications