Mercedes China sales up 26% in November

Daimler said global sales of its Mercedes-Benz brand grew 11 percent last month to a record 133,441 cars, thanks to demand for its refreshed E class, compact models and strong sales in China and the United States.

"We have already achieved last year's total sales volume and we are the fastest-growing premium brand since the beginning of the year," Mercedes sales and marketing chief Ola Kaellenius said in a statement today.

In Europe, including Germany, monthly brand sales were flat at 53,731. In Germany, Mercedes' No 2 market by sales volume, deliveries fell 12 percent to 21,401.

Sales in China helped offset the drop in Europe rising 26 percent to 21,277. In the United States, where Mercedes is currently the best-selling premium brand ahead of rival BMW, the automaker sold 34,376 last month, a rise of 13 percent.

Daimler said E class sales rose 18 percent to 32,693 in November, while volume for the new S class was 7,617, a rise of 47 percent. Deliveries of Mercedes' growing compact range, which currently comprises the A- and B-class models together with the CLA coupe, rose 54 percent last month to 33,382.

On Tuesday, Daimler began production in Germany of a new compact model, the GLA SUV, which will begin European deliveries in the second quarter of 2014.

Deliveries of Daimler's Smart brand rose 13 percent to 9,538 last month. Through November, the automaker sold 91,987, a drop of 5 percent.

Sales of Mercedes-Benz Cars, which include the Smart brand, rose 11 percent last month to 142,979. In the first 11 months, sales were up 10 percent to 1.41 million. Mercedes brand sales in the first 11 months rose 11 percent to 1.32 million vehicles.