Mercedes-Benz is the Most Successful Premium Brand in Russia

During the first four months of the year, Mercedes-Benz grew stronger in Russia than in any other market. Sales were at record levels in each month and rose a total of 77.2% to 7,764 passenger cars. In full-year 2010, Mercedes-Benz sold 19,724 units in Russia. This is a new all-time high and represents an increase of 63.7%. Over the past ten years, sales in Russia have risen nine fold.

Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing Mercedes-Benz Cars, said, “Along with China, Russia is one of our most important growth markets and will remain so for the next years. We’re very satisfied with our development there. Since the beginning of the year, we have been the premium brand with the highest sales volumes and we are growing faster than our core competitors. We want to maintain this position for the full year as well. In 2011, we aim to surpass last year’s sales record and to grow faster than the total market. We are creating the conditions for this also by further expanding our dealership network.”

Russia has one of the world’s fastest growing automotive markets. The overall market grew by 30 percent last year, with the number of new passenger car registrations rising to 1.8 million. The company currently expects substantial growth in 2011 as well, with the total passenger car market expanding by 25 percent.

Mercedes-Benz has 54 dealerships and franchise service workshops in Russia and plans to add ten more this year. As a result, Mercedes-Benz is represented in 37 cities throughout Russia. The national subsidiary Mercedes-Benz RUS is responsible for sales of Mercedes-Benz passenger vehicles in Russia. After its foundation in 1994, it was the first sales company of a Western automaker in Russia.