Mercedes-Benz sold 90,083 cars in February 2013, down from 95,647 a year ago but up 1.3% year to date to 184,978.
February sales were strong in the US, Russia and Japan and ahead of the overall market in Germany and western Europe.
Mercedes-Benz was the latest automaker to blame the floating Chinese New Year (more often in January) for weaker February sales in China this year.
The Daimler unit expects a boost later in 2013 from the new CLA (April launch) and S-class plus the updated E-class.
NAFTA region sales grew 18.0% with the US up 21.9%. In Asia/Pacific, Japan (+13.2%), South Korea (+6.8%) and Australia (+30.8%) saw strong sales.
In China, however, sales slipped to 10,134 vehicles from 19,205 in February 2012 but Daimler expects a new integrated sales company, Beijing Mercedes-Benz, with new management, to quickly achieve improvements. Russia sales rose 17.3% while German sales of 15,321 vehicles were below February 2012’s 17,993 units. Western Europe volume, excluding Germany, inched up 0.4% though UK sales rose 10.6%.

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By GlobalDataFebruary 2013 | Change in % | Per February 2013 | Change in % | |
Mercedes-Benz | 90,083 | -5.8 | 184,978 | +1.3 |
smart | 7,837 | -7.0 | 15,122 | -5.7 |
Mercedes-Benz Cars | 97,920 | -5.9 | 200,100 | +0.8 |
Mercedes-Benz Sales in the Markets | ||||
Western Europe | 35,094 | -6.8 | 69,966 | -2.6 |
– of which: Germany | 15,321 | -14.9 | 27,862 | -9.0 |
NAFTA Region | 24,517 | +18.0 | 49,300 | +13.5 |
– of which: USA | 22,040 | +21.9 | 44,541 | +16.1 |
Asia/Pacific Region | 21,339 | -27.3 | 48,593 | -8.1 |
– of which: Japan | 3,300 | +13.2 | 5,615 | +11.8 |
– of which: China | 10,134 | -47.2 | 26,829 | -20.3 |