MERCEDES-BENZ SALES 2018

MERCEDES-BENZ U.S. REPORTS DECEMBER SALES OF 32,016 UNITS

Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) today reported December sales of 32,016 Mercedes- Benz models. Mercedes-Benz Vans reported best-ever December sales with 4,116 units and smart reported 122 units, bringing MBUSA to a grand total of 36,254 vehicles for the month. On a year- to-date basis, sales of Mercedes-Benz vehicles totaled 315,959, with an additional 38,178 units for Vans and 1,276 vehicles for smart, bringing the total sales volume to 355,413.

“Despite the delayed availability of some of our most popular models in 2018, we achieved a solid closing of the year thanks to the excellent work of our dealers. We are excited to welcome the next chapter of our product offensive including the all-new A-Class, GLE and Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe in the coming months,” said Dietmar Exler, president and CEO of MBUSA. “With the youngest and most comprehensive lineup in the luxury segment, we will continue to advance our position in the marketplace.”

Mercedes-Benz volume leaders in December included the GLC, C-Class and E-Class model lines. The GLC took the lead at 7,294, followed by C-Class sales of 6,799. The E-Class rounded out the top three with 5,042 units sold.

December sales of Mercedes-AMG high-performance totaled 4,132 units, with 28,940 vehicles sold year-to-date.

Separately, Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned (MBCPO) models recorded sales of 12,750 vehicles in December, an increase of 32.0% when compared to the same month last year (9,660). On a year-to-date basis, MBCPO sold 128,835 vehicles, an increase of 14.3% over 2017 (112,670).

Mercedes-Benz Vans U.S. Achieves Record Sales Year for 2018

Mercedes-Benz Vans today reported record year-to-date volume at 38,178 units up 9.1% from the previous 2017 sales record.

In the U.S. for 2018 Mercedes-Benz Vans reported December sales of 4,116 units closing the year with a record year-to date volume at 38,178 units. “We are pleased with our record-breaking year for Mercedes-Benz Vans in 2018,” said Robert Veit, Vice President and Managing Director of Mercedes-Benz Vans. “We look forward to further momentum with our new Sprinter that launched this past year.”

This past year was monumental for Mercedes-Benz Vans with the opening of a new Sprinter plant for the North American market. The new part-by-part production facility with body shop, paint shop and final assembly in the U.S. opened just in time for the U.S. market launch of the new Mercedes-Benz Sprinter.

The new Sprinter added an all-new 4-Cylinder gasoline engine to the lineup for 1500 and 2500 Cargo, Crew and Passenger Vans. The new Sprinter offers a wide range of innovative features like MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) and state of the art safety features like for example Active Brake Assist with Rear Cross Traffic Assist, Active Lane Assist and 360 Degree Cameras. The Sprinter is also the first fully connected van in the market with every Sprinter being offered with a three year free Mercedes PRO package: Optimized Assistance, Efficient Fleet management and Data Interfaces for Vans. Additionally, the Sprinter will be offered as a 15 seater passenger van and as a payload increased 4500 model, increased GVWR on 2500 and 4500 models, a variable stowage concept and increased cargo space and usability with loadable wheel arches, interior roof rack and shelf above roof trim.

Mercedes-Benz Vans is starting off 2019 at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas in January, Daimler Trucks and Freightliner are announcing strategic news on the subject of automated and connected driving, underscoring its claim to innovation leadership within the truck industry. At the same time, the company is also presenting its broad portfolio of electric trucks in Las Vegas, all of which are already on the road and in service with customers.

Mercedes-Benz U.S. reports December sales of 32,016 units

December sales of Mercedes-AMG high-performance totaled 4,132 units, with 28,940 vehicles sold year-to-date.

MERCEDES-BENZ POSTS EIGHTH CONSECUTIVE RECORD YEAR AND MAINTAINS NUMBER 1 POSITION IN THE PREMIUM SEGMENT

Last year, Mercedes-Benz sold more than 2.3 million cars worldwide (+0.9%), making 2018 the most successful year in terms of sales in the company’s history.
The passenger car division of Daimler AG sold a total of more than 2.4 million Mercedes-Benz and smart vehicles last year (+0.6%).
Mercedes-Benz is the best-selling premium brand in the automotive industry for the third time in succession.
Despite challenges for the entire industry, 2018 was the eighth consecutive record year for Mercedes-Benz.
Mercedes-Benz completed its strongest-selling year along with the best quarter in the company’s history and a new sales record for December.
The best full-year unit sales of all time were achieved in the Asia-Pacific region.
With an increase of more than 11%, China was once again the market with the strongest growth in absolute terms and the biggest individual market for Mercedes-Benz.

Stuttgart – Mercedes-Benz continues to be the leading premium automobile brand in terms of unit sales. In a challenging year, the company with the three-pointed star increased its global car sales to 2,310,185 units in 2018, its eighth consecutive record year (+0.9%), making Mercedes-Benz the best-selling premium brand in the automotive industry for the third time in succession. The new sales record in the car division of Daimler AG was driven in particular by the success of Mercedes-Benz in the Asia-Pacific region and its core Chinese market there. Worldwide, models including the SUVs and the E-Class Saloon and Estate were able to generate significant sales impetus in 2018.

Dr Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars: “In 2018, Mercedes-Benz was at the top of the premium segment in the automotive industry for the third year in a row. In a highly competitive environment, we also remained at the top from month to month, thanks in particular to double-digit growth in China and many new models that have delighted both existing and new customers worldwide. We will continue rejuvenating our portfolio systematically in 2019. We see the major successes in our core business primarily as paving the way for shaping the individual mobility of tomorrow.”

Mercedes-Benz completed its strongest-selling year also with the best quarter in the company’s history (595,098 units, +4.0%). In addition, a new December record was set last month with sales of 206,532 units (+6.7%). In 2018, Mercedes-Benz maintained its position as the premium brand with the most new registrations in many markets, and secured market leadership in markets including Germany, France, Russia, Switzerland, Poland, Portugal, Turkey, Denmark, Hungary, Romania, South Korea, Japan, Australia, Thailand, India, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, USA, Canada, Brazil and Argentina.

“With more than 2.4 million vehicles delivered by Mercedes-Benz Cars in 2018, we once again surpassed our own sales record – for the eighth time in succession. In addition, despite a challenging year, we maintained our position at the top of the premium segment. The excitement for our models and the loyalty of our customers spurs us on to continue giving the best in the new year,” said Britta Seeger, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG responsible for Mercedes-Benz Cars Marketing and Sales. “In recent months, the strong growth of the new A-Class has shown the impetus high-calibre innovations such as MBUX can have in the market. In 2019, more than 10 Mercedes-Benz models will inspire our customers with the intuitive operating concept of MBUX and its artificial intelligence – not only in the compact car segment, but also in SUV segment.”

Mercedes-Benz full-year unit sales by region

Asia-Pacific was most important growth driver also in 2018
The number of 943,473 Mercedes-Benz passenger cars delivered to customers in the Asia-Pacific sales region was higher than ever before in one year (+7.8%). China was once again the company’s biggest sales market – not only in the Asia-Pacific region, but worldwide. Last year, 652,996 cars with the three-pointed star were handed over to customers. The strategy of “Made in China, for China” therefore helped Mercedes-Benz to achieve another sales record in 2018 with an increase of 11.1%. And together with the models sold of the smart brand, the car division of Daimler AG was the first premium manufacturer to pass the milestone of 600,000 cars delivered in China in one year – a milestone reached in November. Growth in unit sales to a new record was achieved also in South Korea (+4.9%), the second-largest market in the Asia-Pacific region. And Mercedes-Benz delivered more passenger cars than ever before in one year also in Japan, India, Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam.

Unit sales by Mercedes-Benz in Europe at high prior-year level
In the Europe region, a total of 933,697 passenger cars were delivered to customers in 2018 (-2.3%). SUVs, the S-Class Saloon and the new A-Class recorded the highest growth. In Germany, 303,862 cars with the three-pointed star were sold in the past twelve months (+0.1%), thus secured market leadership for Mercedes-Benz in the premium segment of its domestic market once again in 2018. The double-digit growth of the new A-Class contributed to this in recent months. Mercedes-Benz set new sales records in many European markets, including Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, Poland, Denmark and Hungary.

Sales of about 380,000 units in NAFTA region
In the NAFTA region, 378,013 Mercedes-Benz passenger cars were handed over to customers from January to December (-5.6%). Mercedes-Benz thus continued to be the best-selling premium brand in the NAFTA region in 2018. In Mexico, more vehicles were delivered than ever before last year (+8.4%). In the United States, 315,959 vehicles with the star were sold in 2018 (-6.3%). Mercedes-Benz was able to maintain its market leadership in the premium segment in the United States for the third year in a row and increased its sales to a new record level in the important SUV segment there. Mercedes-Benz was also the best-selling premium brand in Canada, where it maintained its market leadership for the fifth year in a row.

Mercedes-Benz full-year unit sales by model

Growth in sales of SUVs leads to new record for a year
With 820,721 units sold and a growth rate of 1.9%, Mercedes-Benz SUVs made a significant contribution to the sales success of last year. In all three core regions Asia-Pacific, Europe and NAFTA region, more SUVs with the star were sold than ever before. This segment now accounts for more than a third of all Mercedes-Benz sales. The main markets in 2018 were China, the United States and Germany. The best-selling SUVs last year were the GLC and the GLA. The success story of off-road vehicles with the star is set to be continued in 2019 by the GLE, the EQC, as well as the model upgrade of the GLC and GLC Coupé among others.

Every fourth car sold by Mercedes-Benz was a compact car
In the year of the A-Class model change, more than 609,000 customers worldwide received their new A-Class, B-Class, CLA, CLA Shooting Brake or GLA. This means that every fourth vehicle sold by Mercedes-Benz in 2018 was a compact car. The two largest markets for compact cars last year were China and Germany. The new A-Class recorded global growth of 3.4% in 2018 and achieved a strong sales growth of 21.8% in Germany, its domestic market. Mercedes-Benz will continue to build on this success in 2019 with further models of the next generation of compact cars – including the A-Class Saloon, the B-Class and the CLA.

C-Class continues to be highest-volume Mercedes-Benz model
The C-Class Saloon and Estate were again the highest-volume Mercedes-Benz models in the year of the model upgrade. About 397,000 units of these two models were sold last year. The long-wheelbase version of the C-Class Saloon, which is built and sold exclusively in China, set a new record with a double-digit growth. Developing a vehicle in China for China pays off and shows how important it is to respond to local customers’ needs: China was both the largest and fastest-growing market for the C-Class in 2018. Overall, every second C-Class Saloon was sold in the Asia-Pacific region last year, setting a new record (+11.4%).

E-Class continues record-chasing in second year after launch
From January to December, more than 355,000 units of the E-Class Saloon and Estate were delivered to customers. In the second full year of sales of the new generation, an increase of 1.3% was achieved. Although Mercedes-Benz is constantly expanding its portfolio, no year before has seen as many E-Class models sold as in the past twelve months. An important driver of this growth is the continuing popularity of the long-wheelbase version in China (+32.7%).

S-Class: Mercedes-Benz flagship shines with double-digit sales growth worldwide
The S-Class Saloon continued to enjoy great popularity in 2018: Approximately one-and-a-half years after the model upgrade, 77,927 units of the S-Class Saloon were sold in 2018 (+12.2%). The S-Class Saloon also achieved sales growth of 7% in Europe. The Mercedes-Maybach S-Class Saloon is very successful and stands for the utmost exclusivity and quality: In 2018, more Mercedes-Maybach S-Class Saloons were sold than in any previous year (+21.8%). More than two-thirds of these vehicles went to customers in China.

Dream cars: sales impetus provided by new CLS Coupé
Once again last year, many customers fulfilled their dream of a new coupé, cabriolet or roadster from Mercedes-Benz, so that sales remained at the previous year’s level: Almost 166,000 new dream cars with the three-pointed star were delivered worldwide last year. The CLS Coupé contributed to the success of the Mercedes-Benz dream car family (+69.7%). Many customers have chosen the new C-Class Cabriolet and the C-Class Coupé, which have been available from dealerships since the second half of 2018.

Ongoing growth in sales of V-Class and X-Class
In 2018, the V-Class set a new sales record for a full year with sales of 62,699 units. From January to December, unit sales increased by 6.8%. Demand for the multipurpose vehicle was particularly strong in Germany. The strongest absolute growth was recorded in China. The X-Class has been available in Europe since late 2017 and was successfully launched in additional core markets such as South Africa and Australia in 2018. The 6-cylinder engine, which can be ordered for the X-Class since July 2018, has delivered further sales impetus. In total, more than 14,000 units of the pickup with the star were sold in 2018.

Mercedes-AMG sells more than 118,000 vehicles in 2018
AMG, the performance and sports car brand from Mercedes-Benz, achieved six-digit unit sales last year, as well as in 2017. Despite delays in certification in some international markets, 118,204 vehicles worldwide were handed over to customers last year (-10.4%). In China and Japan, two of AMG’s main sales markets, the Affalterbach-based company achieved double-digit growth rates in 2018, setting new records in both markets. The past year at Mercedes-AMG was characterized by the continuous expansion and shift of the product portfolio. With the “53” models of the CLS, E-Class Coupés and Cabriolets, three new models with hybrid functions and a new type designation were added in 2018. Another highlight was the market launch of the AMG GT 4-door Coupé, the third sports car developed entirely in-house, following the SLS and the GT. The Mercedes-AMG A 35 4MATIC (fuel consumption combined 7.4 – 7.3 l/100 km; CO2 emissions combined 169 – 167 g/km)* completes the product range and is the new entry-level model in the world of driving performance.

smart achieves high prior-year volume in 2018
In the year of its 20th anniversary, the smart brand achieved its third-strongest sales of the past decade: 128,802 customers opted for a smart fortwo or smart forfour in the past twelve months (-4.6%). A significant increase in sales was achieved in Germany, where more than 41,000 units of the urban microcar were delivered between January and December (+14.0%). The smart enjoyed great popularity also in China, where it achieved its second-best full-year sales since its launch in that market in 2009. Last year, the changeover of the smart into an electric brand made further progress: 2018 was the first year of full availability of all three smart models with electric drive. Never before have so many units of the electric smart models been sold in a year as in 2018. With the integration of the electric smart into the EQ product and technology brand last spring, the three electric smart models represent the first series-produced models in the EQ family. The aim is to convert the smart brand to electric drive in Europe completely by 2020, following the conversion already completed in the United States, Canada and Norway.

* The stated figures were determined in accordance with the prescribed measuring method. These are the “NEDC CO2 figures” according to Art. 2 No. 1 Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/1153. The fuel consumption figures were calculated based on these figures. Further information on the vehicles on offer, including the WLTP values, can be found for each country at www.mercedes-benz.com.

Overview of Mercedes-Benz Cars unit sales

	December 2018	Change in %	Jan.-Dec. 2018	Change in %
Mercedes-Benz	206,532	+6.7	2,310,185	+0.9
smart	10,290	-13.5	128,802	-4.6
Mercedes-Benz Cars	216,822	+5.5	2,438,987	+0.6

Mercedes-Benz unit sales in the regions/markets
Europe	82,740	+9.7	933,697	-2.3
– thereof Germany	27,528	+27.6	303,862	+0.1
Asia-Pacific	81,054	+11.5	943,473	+7.8
– thereof China	49,907	+3.7	652,996	+11.1
NAFTA	37,449	-7.3	378,013	-5.6
– thereof USA	32,016	-9.1	315,959	-6.3

Note:
Mercedes-Benz’s unit sales by region and market as well as by model represent merely an excerpt from Mercedes-Benz’s total unit sales, it being possible for a model to be included in different segments.
With regard to Mercedes-Benz’s total unit sales, there is no possibility of models being double-counted.

This document contains forward-looking statements that reflect our current views about future events. The words “anticipate,” “assume,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” ”can,” “could,” “plan,” “project,” “should” and similar expressions are used to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to many risks and uncertainties, including an adverse development of global economic conditions, in particular a decline of demand in our most important markets; a deterioration of our refinancing possibilities on the credit and financial markets; events of force majeure including natural disasters, acts of terrorism, political unrest, armed conflicts, industrial accidents and their effects on our sales, purchasing, production or financial services activities; changes in currency exchange rates and tariff regulations; a shift in consumer preferences towards smaller, lower-margin vehicles; a possible lack of acceptance of our products or services which limits our ability to achieve prices and adequately utilize our production capacities; price increases for fuel or raw materials; disruption of production due to shortages of materials, labor strikes or supplier insolvencies; a decline in resale prices of used vehicles; the effective implementation of cost-reduction and efficiency-optimization measures; the business outlook for companies in which we hold a significant equity interest; the successful implementation of strategic cooperations and joint ventures; changes in laws, regulations and government policies, particularly those relating to vehicle emissions, fuel economy and safety; the resolution of pending government investigations or of investigations requested by governments and the conclusion of pending or threatened future legal proceedings; and other risks and uncertainties, some of which we describe under the heading “Risk and Opportunity Report” in the current Annual Report.
If any of these risks and uncertainties materializes or if the assumptions underlying any of our forward-looking statements prove to be incorrect, the actual results may be materially different from those we express or imply by such statements. We do not intend or assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements since they are based solely on the circumstances at the date of publication.

Daimler at a Glance
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 financing, leasing, fleet management, insurance, financial investments, credit cards, and innovative mobility services. The company’s founders, Gottlieb Daimler and Carl Benz, made history with the invention of the automobile in the year 1886. As a pioneer of automotive engineering, it is a motivation and commitment of Daimler to shape safely and sustainably the future of mobility: The Group’s focus is on innovative and green technologies as well as on safe and superior automobiles that appeal and fascinate. Daimler consequently invests in the development of efficient drive trains with the long-term goal of locally emission-free driving: from hightech combustion engines about hybrid vehicles to electric drive trains powered by battery or fuel cell. Furthermore, the company follows a consistent path towards intelligent connectivity of its vehicles, autonomous driving and new mobility concepts. 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 in Europe, North and South America, Asia, and Africa. Its current brand portfolio includes, in addition to the world’s most valuable premium automotive brand, Mercedes-Benz (Source: Interbrand-Study, 10/4/2018), as well as Mercedes-AMG, Mercedes-Maybach and Mercedes me, the brands smart, EQ, Freightliner, Western Star, BharatBenz, FUSO, Setra and Thomas Built Buses, and Daimler Financial Services’ brands: Mercedes-Benz Bank, Mercedes-Benz Financial Services, Daimler Truck Financial, moovel, car2go and mytaxi.
The company is listed on the stock exchanges of Frankfurt and Stuttgart (stock exchange symbol DAI). In 2017, the Group sold around 3.3 million vehicles and employed a workforce of more than 289,300 people. With application of IFRS 15 and IFRS 9 in financial year 2017, Group revenue would have amounted to €164.2 billion and Group EBIT would have amounted to €14.3 billion. Before application of IFRS 15 and 9, Group revenue in 2017 amounted to €164.3 billion and Group EBIT amounted to €14.7 billion, as previously reported.