The light commercial vehicle business unit posted total sales of 476 units in July, eclipsing the same month of the previous year by 30 per cent.

The record July sales result was up 16 per cent on the previous record July result (408 units) in 2002.

The class leading Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Mercedes-Benz Vito both posted impressive gains last month with 259 units and 170 units delivered in Australia, representing improvements of 50 and 30 per cent respectively, compared to the previous year.

The new Mercedes-Benz Vito, launched in Australia mid-April, achieved its best month since release representing 146 units of the total 170 Vito sales.

Since its introduction, sales of the new Vito have lived up to the market positioning “nothing fits your business better”, with 446 units delivered nationally in just under four months.

On a July year-to-date basis, sales of Mercedes-Benz light commercial vehicles (2,528 units) are up 1.4 per cent on the previous year.

The new head of the light commercial vehicle team at DaimlerChrysler Australia/Pacific, Campbell York, welcomed the record sales result.

“Whilst May and June are historically strong sales months for light commercial vehicles, we are pleased we were able to post the best July sales ever as well as the fourth best month on record since the introduction of Mercedes-Benz light commercials in Australia.

“The new Vito has performed extremely well in its first few months on sale and feedback from customers and drivers indicates it is well accepted in the marketplace,” said York.