Kuala Lumpur, 16 December 2008 – This year has been a challenging year for all automotive brands but Mercedes Benz Malaysia reported today that compared to YTD November 2007, sales had gone up by 16%. It is also the first time Mercedes Benz Malaysia vehicles which include passenger and commercial vehicles, had crossed the 5000 unit mark.

“Our performance is especially significant amidst global economic challenges whereby passenger vehicle operations are being adversely affected by consumer uncertainty and related buying resistance,” said Peter Honegg, President & CEO, Mercedes Benz Malaysia during the year end media briefing.

“For 2009, we are forecasting a sales drop of between 10 – 20% which will be around the figure in 2007 and will be looking at pre-owned vehicle business in addition to introducing cost saving measures including a shorter working week at our plant in Pekan,” he added.

Commenting on the year 2009, Honegg said that it will be very dependent on the stock market which is expected to most likely show positive signs around mid 2009 and therefore the market will probably return to normalcy about end 2009 or even 2010.