Mercedes 2009 Annual Report Download - page 125

Since January 2010: “Four seasons, four persons” – the motto of the new E-Class convertible promises driving pleasure all year round.
Divisions |Mercedes-Benz Cars |121
Unit sales of Mercedes-Benz automobiles in the United States
fell by 16% to 188,500 vehicles. However, the new E-Class models
and the updated S-Class created new sales impetus with double-
digit growth rates in the fourth quarter. Mercedes-Benz shipments
in Canada increased once again, this time by 19% to 24,700 units.
In Germany, we were able to maintain our market leadership in the
premium segment with sales of 265,500 vehicles (2008: 300,900).
Deliveries in the other markets of Western Europe totaled 267,200
units (2008: 328,400). Business developed very positively in
several emerging markets. In China, for example, where Mercedes-
Benz remains the fastest-growing premium brand, shipments
rose by 34% to 65,200 units and retail sales actually increased by
65%. China is meanwhile the world’s most important market for
our S-Class.
Successful launch of new E-Class. The outstanding new product
highlights from Mercedes-Benz in 2009 were the E-Class sedan,
coupe, and station wagon models. The E-Class sedan, which was
successfully launched at the end of March, embodies the core
values of the Mercedes-Benz brand such as safety, comfort, design,
quality and efficiency in a fascinating manner. The launch of the
new E-Class also marks the debut of a number of technical innova-
tions that no other car in this segment can offer – from drowsi-
ness detection and automatic emergency braking when a collision
is deemed imminent to the Adaptive Highbeam Assist and Active
Bonnet systems. The successful start of the sedan was followed
just a few weeks later in May by a very positive response to the
launch of the E-Class coupe. The sporty coupe stands apart not
only because of its dynamic design but also due to its new effi-
cient and powerful engines. We added an additional member to
the E-Class family in November 2009 with the launch of the new
station wagon model. In addition to its fascinating design, the im-
pressive features of the new vehicle include a new intelligent
system that makes loading and unloading cargo much easier, plus
air suspension with self-leveling at the rear axle as standard
equipment. More than 160,000 new E-Class sedans, coupes, and
station wagons had been sold by the end of 2009. In December
2009, a fourth model of the E-Class family was unveiled – the
E-Class convertible, which customers have been able to order
since January 2010.
Additional new models in 2009. We significantly upgraded the
S-Class in 2009 by giving it a more dynamic design, providing
even greater comfort, incorporating new assistance systems, and
offering new fuel-efficient versions equipped with V6 or V8 en-
gines. The improved GL all-terrain model made a great impression
in 2009 thanks to its even more attractive interior and exterior
designs and with fuel consumption up to 8% lower than before.
Also attracting a lot of attention in the year under review was
the exclusive SLR Stirling Moss, which rounds out the current SLR
family. Production of this vehicle was limited to 75 units.
New economical engines. We have upgraded our range of
combustion engines by introducing new four-cylinder diesel and
gasoline units. These engines stand out through high perfor-
mance and outstanding smooth running, while also exhibiting im-
pressive fuel economy. The new C 220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY
sedan, for example, is the most fuel-efficient C-Class ever, despite
delivering a power output of 125 kW/170 hp. The model’s com-
bined consumption is 4.8 liters of diesel per 100 kilometers (CO2
emissions: 127 g/km), making it the most fuel-efficient vehicle
in its class. Our all-new four-cylinder gasoline engine with direct
injection is now being used in various models. One of them is
the E 200 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY (135 kW/184 hp), which comes
with the ECO start/stop feature as standard and consumes
only 7.3 liters of super gasoline per 100 km (combined NEDC
consumption). This corresponds to CO2emissions of 169 g/km.
CO
2
emissions reduced to 160 grams per kilometer. We made
important further progress on the road to emission-free mobility
during the year under review. As planned, we achieved the mile-
stones we publicly announced for ourselves back in 2007 at the
Frankfurt Motor Show. We reduced the CO2emissions of the cars
we sell in the European Union by 7% to 160 grams per kilometer
in 2009. By the year 2012, we want to reduce the CO
2
emissions of
our new-car fleet in the EU to below 140 g/km (see also pages
10 ff and 136 ff).