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AMG Aficionado
Daimler’s Mercedes-Benz leaped to first place in the U.S. and global luxury-auto sales race last year. It was the first time since 2004 that Mercedes outsold the BMW brand globally, the fruit of heavy recent investment, a revamped lineup and shakeup of its China business. Volkswagen’s Audi unit remained third on the podium. Still, buoyant demand in China helped all three of the German manufacturers to new sales records.
- 2.23 Million
Sales of Mercedes-Benz cars powered past the two million mark for the first time in 2016, to 2.23 million, including the group’s Smart brand. That topped BMW-brand car sales of two million, according to BMW figures released Monday.
BMW group sales remain ahead of Mercedes, however, when BMW’s MINI and Rolls-Royce brand sales are included in the total sales figure. BMW group car sales hit 2.37 million cars, including global sales of 360,233 MINI and 4,011 Rolls-Royce vehicles.
A Daimler spokeswoman said the firm would release full Daimler group sales figures in February.
- Sport-Utility Vehicles
Strong demand for Mercedes-Benz sport-utility vehicles was the feature of the year. Sales of models including the GLA and GLC surged 34%. Mercedes is hoping its new E-class sedan will provide extra sales momentum this year.
- AMG Power
Mercedes-Benz sated the appetite of drivers wanting extra oomph behind the wheel, with deliveries of AMG high-performance versions of its cars up 44%.
