Mercedes 2010 Annual Report Download - page 127

The Divisions | Mercedes-Benz Cars | 123
Mercedes-Benz succeeded in boosting unit sales in all regions dur-
ing the year under review. Despite a weak market development,
we sold 265,000 vehicles in Germany, thereby reaching the sales
level recorded in the prior year (2009: 265,500), allowing us to
increase our market share and maintain our leading position in the
premium segment. Mercedes-Benz sales in other Western European
countries rose by 9% to 290,500 units (2009: 267,200). In the
United States, we increased unit sales by 15% to 216,400 vehicles.
Business also developed very positively in the emerging markets.
In China, for example, where Mercedes-Benz remains the fastest-
growing premium brand, unit sales more than doubled to 156,400
vehicles (+140%). China has now been the world’s most important
market for the S-Class for two years in a row. Additional demand
was generated in China in 2010 by a long-wheelbase version of the
E-Class – a model that we started producing locally and exclusively
for the Chinese market in May 2010. Double-digit sales increases
were also recorded in the other BRIC nations Brazil (+40%), Russia
(+68%) and India (+79%), as well as in the growth markets of Taiwan
(+109%), South Korea (+80%) and the Middle East (+63%).
The new E-Class convertible: Open-air driving pleasure for four.
The E-Class convertible celebrated its world premiere at the North
American International Auto Show in Detroit in January 2010. The
four-seat, year-round convertible completes the successful E-Class
family and features a world first in the form of the AIRCAP wind
deflector, which significantly reduces air turbulence in the vehicle’s
interior during open-top driving. Like all E-Class models, the convert-
ible also offers outstanding levels of safety. Its safety equipment
includes the ATTENTION ASSIST drowsiness detection system, the
anticipatory PRE-SAFE
®
occupant protection system, the Intelligent
Light System, and the DISTRONIC PLUS proximity control unit.
Readers of Germany’s “auto motor und sport” magazine voted the
vehicle “2010’s most beautiful convertible.” The first E-Class convert-
ibles were delivered to customers in March 2010 and 24,500 units
had been sold by the end of the year.
Fascination and efficiency – the new CLS. The new four-door
CLS coupe, which was presented for the first time during the Paris
Motor Show at the end of September, has assumed the pioneering
role that characterized its predecessor. However, the newcomer
also stands out as a new and unique product. The CLS combines
a powerful and confident design with the highest levels of efficiency.
All CLS engines are new and offer fuel savings of up to 25% com-
pared with the predecessor models. The CLS, which has been
available for delivery to our customers since January 2011, was
awarded the coveted Golden Steering Wheel 2010 shortly after
it was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show.
Additional new models in 2010. The most prominent external
feature of the new R-Class generation is the model’s completely
redesigned front end. On the inside, the new R-Class offers the
space economy one would expect from a modern minivan. At the
same time, it also boasts the comfort, high value and prestige
typical of a classic Mercedes-Benz sedan. With the new-generation
CL-Class, Mercedes-Benz is shifting the focus to achieving better
fuel economy and lower exhaust gas emissions in the exclusive upper
range segment as well. An impressive 22% reduction in fuel con-
sumption has been achieved with the CL 500 BlueEFFICIENCY with
the help of our all-new BlueDIRECT technology, which features
spray-guided direct injection, and our customized BlueEFFICIENCY
package.
Economical and powerful engines. Our new engines prove that
efficiency and performance are no longer mutually exclusive. We
had already updated our range of four-cylinder engines in 2009, and
we followed that up in 2010 with the launch of our new six and
eight-cylinder units. We now offer a broad range of high-performance,
low-consumption engines that can also be used flexibly in a variety
of models. With a total of four new diesel and gasoline engines, the
Mercedes-Benz S-Class leads the way in its segment. The new
S 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY, for example, has been named the
“world’s most fuel-efficient luxury sedan.” Despite its high output of
150 kW (204 hp), this S-Class consumes only 5.7 liters of diesel
per 100 km (combined NEDC consumption), which corresponds to
CO2 emissions of 149 g/km. The new V6 diesel engine in the S 350
BlueTEC delivers 190 kW (258 hp) with a combined consumption
of 6.8 liters per 100 km (177 g CO2/km).
The new generation of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class has been comprehensively modernized for spring 2011.