First quarter sales for Daimler AG rose on last year's figures and total unit sales for Mercedes-Benz in the first quarter rose by 12% to 340,000 units compared to the same period in 2011 – with the group achieving its best-ever first quarter and march sales figures. 

Such is due to the strong customer demand of their C-Class models (+27%), the S-Class range (+18%) and their luxury Sports Utility Vehicle segment (+8%). Such demand is also expected to follow with the Europe-launched B-Class, one of five new compact vehicles to be launched by the German automaker and the second – the all-new A-Class is set to arrive in September. 

'At Mercedes, we're on a roll, and we want to beat that,' said Zetsche and claimed to believe that Mercedes-Benz will surpass the unit-sales record it set in 2011.

In 2012 and 2013 alone, the Group will invest EUR 10.9bn in research and development and EUR 10.6bn in property, manufacturing plants and equipment. Of noticeable significance will be the attempt of Mercedes-Benz in the are of green technology. With internal-combustion engines, the CO2 emissions of Mercedes-Benz Cars' fleet has been reduced within two vehicle generations by 35% to an average of 150g/km and will target a further reduction of this figure to 125g/km by 2016. 

The Mercedes-Benz Vans division has also prospered throughout the first three months of the year, with total unit sales increasing by 23% in North America and by 10% in Latin America. In Europe, the automaker remains confident of maintaining the same level of success that it achieved last year with regards to vehicle sales.