Mercedes-Benz roars

MERCEDES-BENZ and its smart brand achieved a 14 percent year-on-year increase in deliveries to 348,004 vehicles in China in the first half of this year, according to a statement published by the company yesterday.

From January to June, sales of Mercedes-Benz sedans grew an average of over 20 percent and took up nearly half of total passenger car sales while those of locally made models expanded 17 percent year on year, the German premium carmaker said.

“We maintained

healthy, sustainable growth in the first six months of this year,” said Nicholas Speeks, president and chief executive officer of Beijing Mercedes-Benz Sales Service Co.

Mercedes-Benz delivered 58,179 new vehicles in China in June, up 12 percent from the same period last year.

The steady sales growth were driven by its S-Class, C-Class, GLC sport-utility vehicles and other car models, Speeks said.

The carmaker attributed its double-digit sales growth in the first half to a strong product line-up, innovative customer experience and cooperation with dealer partners.