Mercedes-Benz said its vehicle sales on China's mainland posted a 49 percent increase for the first seven months of this year, totaling 31,711 cars.

Sales growth in July reached 45 percent.

Industry analysts said the remarkable sales increase was a result of its low comparable bases a year earlier. But the diverse product strategy also works effectively to catch with the current market leader in China, Audi.

Despite the global financial crisis depressing demand in other markets, Mercedes-Benz expected the growing momentum in China would continue in the second half of this year given the positive economic growth and low market penetration of the premier cars, said Bjoern Hauber, general manager of sales and marketing of Mercedes-Benz (China).

Mercedes-Benz has introduced about 10 new models, such as the B-Class, the new E-Class and the Smart, in China so far this year. Some entry-level models expand its customer base with appeals to younger consumers.

In the upcoming months, Mercedes-Benz also plans to launch more than 10 new models as it remained upbeat about China's luxury car market, Maier told Shanghai Daily.

(Shanghai Daily August 31, 2009)