The brand reported sales of 1.17 million units for last compared to 1.01 in 2009. Double-digit increases were recorded every month and Mercedes had already surpassed its 2009 sales volume by the end of November. However, smart sales were down 16.6% to 97,500 units.

The fourth quarter was the best in Mercedes' history, with deliveries of 313,700 units; an increase of 14%.

Dr Dieter Zetsche, CEO of Daimler AG and head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, said: ‘We were extremely successful this past year, exceeding practically all of our targets, some quite considerably. Our sales in many markets developed much better than expected. This means that our forecast for achieving sales growth of at least 10% for Mercedes-Benz in 2010 turned out to be more than correct. Our growth outperformed that of the global passenger car market as a whole, which is why we were able to gain market shares. The year was marked by the success of the E- and S-Class in particular, as well as high-growth rates mainly in China and the other BRIC countries. We are also very satisfied with our performance in the US.’

The last year has seen Mercedes increase its sales significantly in many regions such as North America, Asia/Pacific, and the BRIC countries.

In China, which is its third largest market, the carmaker set new sales records every month, rising faster than key competitors. Deliveries for full-year 2010 in China totalled 148,400 passenger cars, or more than double the number of units (+112%) sold in the prior year (70,100 units).

Mercedes-Benz also recorded very high growth rates in a number of other markets. In India, sales reached the record level of 5,800 units, an increase of 80%, and far exceeding expectations.

There were a record number of sales in Russia as well (19,700 units; +64%). In Brazil, deliveries increased by 46% to 7,500 units. Record sales were also posted in South Korea (16,500 units; +86%) and Turkey (12,300 units; +27%). In South Africa (22.300 units; +16%), Mercedes-Benz was the market leader in 2010 and was also very successful in Australia (18,900 units; +19%) and Taiwan (7,200 units; +49%).

In the US, its second largest market, the brand delivered 216,400 passenger vehicles in 2010; an increase of 14% (2009: 190,600 units) and a significant increase on its original sales target of 200,000 units.

And Mercedes remained the number one premium brand in its domestic market. Despite a 23% decline in the overall market, sales of Mercedes-Benz models in 2010 reached the same level as in 2009: 265,000 units were delivered to customers (2009: 265,500 units). Mercedes-Benz was once again by far the best-selling premium brand in Germany in 2010. Market share in the country rose considerably, to 9.6%.

Commenting on the outlook for 2011, Dr Zetsche said: 'Prospects are looking very good for Mercedes-Benz in the new year. We've got an attractive and competitive model lineup and expect to generate additional momentum with a wide range of new products.’

New launches in 2011 include the CLS this month, which will be followed by the C-Class, SLK, C-Class coupe and M-Class. At the end of the year Mercedes will launch a new new B-Class vehicle – the first model of the new compact-vehicle generation.