Mercedes-Benz Russia SAO, in charge of the sale of passenger cars and off-road vehicles of Mercedes-Benz, AMG and Maybach brands as well as Mercedes-Benz light commercial vehicles, has summarized its sales results for 2010. The last year was the most successful in the whole history of Mercedes-Benz operations in the Russian market. The impressive sales growth became a reality as a result of an improved economic situation in the country and, consequently, a higher purchasing capacity of the Russian customers, also due to the Company’s pricing policy, which led to an increase in the sales volumes of almost all Mercedes-Benz vehicle classes.

The increase in passenger cars and off-road vehicles sales by 64% in 2010 exceeded the overall growth of the automotive market (+ 30%). This led to a significantly extended market share of the brand in the premium segment. Overall 19,724 vehicles were handed over to the clients.


According to the annual results, the off-road vehicles segment has been the most successful in terms of sales according to the Mercedes-Benz operational plan for the Russian market. The total of 7,979 vehicles were handed over to the clients, thus showing the sales increase by 64% as compared to 2009 (4,868 units). The sales of the compact GLK SUV demonstrated the most dynamic growth (87%) with 2,770 vehicles sold to the clients (1,481 units in 2009). The sales of G- and GL-class off-road vehicles grew by 66%: 2,639 units were sold in 2010 (1,585 units in 2009). R-class SUV was updated in 2010, and the sales of this comfortable and spacious vehicle increased by 57% during the year. The Е-class model range holds the second position in Mercedes-Benz sales (5,599 units sold, 122% growth). In early 2010 E-class coupe was launched in the Russian market, thus finalizing the update of this model range. The annual sales performance indicates that the sales in the S-class segment (including SLS AMG, SL-, CL- classes and Maybach) have increased by 21%, and the brand retains the leading position in the premium segment of the Russian market. In the run-up to the face-lift of 2011 the С-class sales increased by 39% (2,164 cars sold in 2009). During 2010 some 3,005 units of this popular model range were sold. The facelifted C-class being launched in the market in 2011 will enhance this trend.

Here are a few examples of the most prominent events. In April 2010 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG – the vehicles with “gullwing” doors accelerating to 100 km/h within 3.9 sec – was presented in the Russian market. The facelifted Maybach was first demonstrated in Russia in June 2010 at the International Economic Forum in St. Petersburg where Mercedes-Benz participated as the official car of the event for the second year in succession. In August 2010 the Company made a great showing at the Moscow International Automobile Salon. The culmination of the event was the world premiere of the facelifted CL-class. The updated versions of R-class and CLS coupe were also presented to the Russian public at this event.

* including Maybach, SLS AMG, CL- and SL-classes
** including CLS
*** including SLK- and CLC-classes

During 2010 Mercedes-Benz Russia SAO was successful in developing the sales of light commercial vehicles. Using the positive trends in the Russian automotive market the Company managed to increase the sales volumes by 53% having sold 2,123 units (1,385 units in 2009). The growth of sales of Mercedes-Benz light commercial vehicles came in advance of the general trend of the market growth, and thus the Company increased its market share in this segment.


Having commenced the year in complicated conditions Mercedes-Benz Russia Vans department managed to concentrate its efforts and resources, and by reinforcing its position established itself firmly in the role of the leading player in the Russian market of first-class vans.
The following factors produced a positive impact on the growth of the sales volumes: signing of contracts with a number of corporate clients; successful market launch of a number of new products and consistent introduction of work standards which lead to a higher level of services and general customer satisfaction.

In May 2010 Mercedes-Benz Vans presented a new product in the large vans segment of the Russian market, a Mercedes-Benz minibus based on Sprinter 515 CDI as a standard vehicle. The clients specializing in passenger transportations reacted immediately to the advantageous purchase conditions of this excellent vehicle, and this had a favourable effect on the sales.


In November 2010 the Company launched the facelifted Mercedes-Benz Viano and Mercedes-Benz Vito in the market. Russian clients greeted the refreshed models with great enthusiasm. The first vehicles were sold to the clients in December. On 23 December a Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Daimler AG and Russian car manufacturer GAZ. Within the framework of this document Daimler AG is to invest over 100 mln. Euro into the production of Mercedes-Benz Sprinter in Russia.
Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars Division said, “Russia is an attractive place to invest with great opportunities for growth, and that’s why Daimler has made a long-term commitment to it. The partnership with GAZ underscores once again the fact that Daimler has come to stay and to achieve further growth”.

The turnover of spare parts for Mercedes-Benz passenger cars, light commercial vehicles and trucks increased by more than 30% in 2010. During the year the Company launched several new products in the market, such as service contracts and complete wheels; “winter” and “spring” service campaigns were held which increased the attractiveness of the official servicing of Mercedes-Benz brand in Russia. Moreover, the Company supported by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation initiated a socially-oriented campaign aimed at combating the use of infringing spare parts. During 2010 some 4,905 employees of the dealer enterprises were trained (+11%). The Russian team of service specialists comprised by the technical experts of the dealerships won the prestigious Daimler AG contest Global TechMasters, which evidenced the high level of expertise of the technical staff at the dealer centres. In 2010 Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy started its trainings.

In 2010 the Company proceeded with expanding its direct sales infrastructure. Along with the MB Centre located in Leningradsky Prospect, in July 2010 a new centre opened in Veshki, at the 85th km of MKAD, close to the intersection with Altufyevskoe Shosse. The total investments into the project reached about 30 mln. Euro. The area of the showroom in the new centre is about 1,300 sq m. Here the clients may find new light commercial vehicles and trucks as well as used passenger cars, light commercial vehicles and trucks. The service area is equipped with 23 workstations to service passenger and light commercial vehicles and 12 workstations for trucks.


“Direct sales in Russia are a part of our long-term strategy in the Russian market. Daimler AG implements this strategy in high-potential markets which are of particular significance for Daimler. This is determined by the interests of long-term development of the Company in Russia. Mercedes-Benz Russia SAO is a major employer, honest taxpayer and performs its activities in compliance with the uncompromising business ethics and social responsibility standards”, said Juergen Sauer, CEO and President of the Company commenting on the results of the year.

In 2010 Mercedes-Benz Russia SAO carried on the development of its official dealer network in the territory of the Russian Federation. Currently the network comprises 55 dealerships which perform sales and/or servicing of passenger and light commercial vehicles in Russia. Despite the unfavourable economic situation the Company partners continued investing in the future; and during the year new dealer centres were opened in Krasnodar, Naberezhnie Chelny, Orenburg and Irkutsk. Dealer centres in Voronezh and Perm were subject to an overhaul.


Mercedes-Benz Social Initiatives


During the whole year 2010 Mercedes-Benz brand was present at the most significant socio-economic and political events in Russia: forums “Russia 2010", “Russia Calls!”, All- Russian Innovation Forum “Russia Forward!”. For the second time Mercedes-Benz was the official vehicle of the International Economic Forum in St. Petersburg, which signifies the high level of trust to the brand on the part of the political and economic elite.


Supporting social initiatives has become an important line of activities in Mercedes-Benz Russia SAO. In summer 2010 the Company initiated a corporate volunteer project “Starship Troopers” which is designed to implement a programme of rendering support to the destitute children. We continued the development of the training and educational projects: “Mercedes-Benz Academy” and rendering support to the project aimed at children safety on the road.


Based on the results of the “2009 Leaders in Corporate Philanthropy” survey the Company was ranked the first in the category “Retail and Consumer Companies” (15th position in the general ranking) as the only automotive enterprise. This way Mercedes-Benz Russia SAO has once again confirmed its title of a socially responsible firm.