Mercedes-Benz shows impressive sales of its updated convertible models

Mumbai: Mercedes-Benz has got off to a good start in terms of sale volume of its new updated convertible models. Since spring of 2008, the new generation SL-Class has been carrying on the brand's unparalleled sports car tradition, with sales over 145,000 units. The SL-Class, which premiered in 1954 with the legendary ''gull-wing'' 300 SL is currently in its fifth generation of production.

One of the world's most popular premium roadsters in its segment, the SL-Class features a new design emphasising the car's sporty character, and it offers even more athletic performance and enhanced comfort and safety. Since the beginning of the year, more than 8,000 customers around the world have purchased SL-Class models. Demand for the SL is particularly high in the US, where sales figure contribute to almost half of of all SL-Class roadsters sold globally. The SL 500 is the top choice model with customers in the SL-Class range.

The compact SLK-Class roadster also continues to be popular among customers: Since the roadster's debut in March 2004, Mercedes-Benz has sold about 200,000 vehicles of the latest production series and upto 20,000 units in 2008 alone. Since the beginning of April 2008, Mercedes-Benz has been offering an even sportier SLK generation. The SLK is a particularly admired by German customers, with more than 30 per cent of all SLK cars found in the home country of Mercedes-Benz.

Mercedes-Benz also delivers one fifth of its SLK models to the US. The best-selling variant in the SLK range worldwide is the SLK 200 Kompressor. In July 2008 Mercedes-Benz also delivered the 125,000th convertible of the new CLK-Class to a customer. Since the CLK's market introduction in 2002, more than 700,000 coupes and convertibles have been purchased by customers worldwide. Germany and the United States are the most important markets for the CLK in termas of sales and the CLK 350 is the favorite model of CLK drivers worldwide.

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