Benz sales increase 122% in first half of 2010

Mercedes-Benz sold 596,000 units in the Chinese mainland in the first half of 2010 ( growth of 122 percent year-on-year). The sales of June stood at 13,500, a 164-percent increase on a year-on-year basis, according to a newsletter from Benz's website Thursday.

The best selling models were cars from the E-level selling 18,020 units (almost one third of the total sales) in the previous six months. In June it sold 5,050 cars.

Other modes from the S-level cars increased 41 percent with sales of 9,170 units from January to June, while C-level sedan (made in China) rose to a historical new high, at 65 percent year on year. Detailed sales data was not posted.

From January to June, Benz SUV sold 12,610 (a growth of 80 percent year-on-year), B-level Grand Sports Tourers climbed 226 percent selling 3,750 units.

Smart vehicles increased 72 percent year-on-year, and sports cars sales doubled in the first half of the year, but without specific data released.