Mercedes-Benz Sets All-Time Sales Record in 2011

HARTFORD, CONN. (01/17/2012)(readMedia)-- Luxury automaker Mercedes-Benz made some major moves in 2011, increasing U.S. sales by 17.5 percent year-over-year and setting a new annual record with 264,460 units sold. Mercedes-Benz dealerships closed the year by selling 28,006 vehicles in December, a 30.4-percent increase compared to the same month last year, with new models playing a large part in that success.

Mercedes-Benz's 2011 sales growth in the United States, its second-largest market, was boosted by the debut of the all-new Mercedes-Benz C-Class, a gateway vehicle for the brand. With a 17.9-percent sales increase year-over-year, nearly 70,000 C-Class models found new owners in 2011, easily taking the top spot in the German automaker's lineup.

"The new C-Class is the most affordable Mercedes-Benz and serves as a highly satisfying entry point for fans of the brand," said M. Todd Pancavage, general manager of New Country Motor Cars, a Hartford, Connecticut Mercedes-Benz dealership. "It has the style, power and technology that drivers expect from a Mercedes at a price that offers impressive value to aspiring luxury-car buyers."

Entry level is a relative term with a Mercedes-Benz vehicle, and the 2012 C-Class has features that can be found on other much more expensive models in the lineup. There is an available Lane Tracking Package that includes Blind Spot Assist and Lane Keeping Assist, and buyers can even get the automaker's exclusive Attention Assist, which can detect signs of drowsiness and alerts drivers should they be in danger of a collision.

Innovative safety equipment extends to the brakes in the C-Class, which prime themselves for action whenever the accelerator is lifted quickly, setting the brake pads closer to the rotors for faster application in emergency situations. The brakes also automatically dry themselves during wet conditions to ensure optimum performance.

Mercedes-Benz engineers gave the C-Class plenty of power to match its brakes as well. The base C250 comes with a turbocharged 1.8-liter engine producing 201 horsepower, while the C350 gets a 3.5-liter V6 producing 302 horsepower. Both engines make use of direct-injection technology to improve performance and fuel economy, returning up to 31 mpg on the highway in the C250 when matched with the seven-speed automatic transmission.

Snow Belt drivers will be happy to know that 4MATIC all-wheel drive is standard on the Mercedes-Benz C300 and, according to Car and Driver magazine, it could spread to other trim levels this year.

"More often than not, our customers view their purchase as a rewarding investment rather than a value buy, but the C-Class is a lot of car for the money," Pancavage noted. "More and more people are joining the Mercedes-Benz brand thanks to the C-Class, and many of those customers will go on to buy other models in the lineup."

About New Country Motor Cars:

New Country Motor Cars is a premier Connecticut Mercedes-Benz dealership, and they've proven their excellence by receiving the prestigious Mercedes-Benz Best of the Best award for 2010. They have an impressive selection of new and used Mercedes-Benz models to choose from, and their skilled service technicians ensure Mercedes-Benz owners get the most out of their vehicles. Part of the New Country Motor Car Group, New Country Motor Cars is located at One Weston Street in Hartford, Connecticut. They can be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NewCountryMercedesBenz or reached by phone at 888-267-2959, and their extensive Mercedes-Benz inventory can be viewed at www.newcountrymercedes.com.