Daimler's Mercedes-Benz said its unit sales in the first eight months of 2018 rose 1.1% year on year to a record 1,512,268.

August sales were, however, down 8.5% to 155,918.

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Smart volume increased 9.8% to 8,470 units.

"As expected, however, there was an impact on unit sales in August from challenges relating to vehicle availability, including model changes and delays in [WLTP] vehicle certification in some markets," Daimler said in a statement.

"Nevertheless, Mercedes-Benz defended in the first eight months of the year its position as the best selling premium brand worldwide."

Europe sales last month fell 10.7% to 54,989 vehicles and were also down, by 3.9%, to 597,347 YTD.

Asia-Pacific demand saw YTD volume rise 9.8% to 639,184 units with an August record in China of 53,295 (+5.5%).

NAFTA volume was off 19.5% to 24,538 last month and down 5.5% to 240,671 YTD. US sales were down 6.6% YTD and off 19.8% to 20,339 in August.

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