Mercedes-Benz Sells its 1.5 Millionth E-Class

German luxury carmaker Mercedes-Benz is celebrating the delivery of 1.5 million units of the current E-Class to customers since the executive model's market launch six years ago in 2002. Overall, Merc has produced 1,270,000 sedans and 230,000 station-wagons from the current E-Class series. The most important markets for the E-Class are Germany and the U.S., each of which accounts for around 25 percent of the model's total sales. In terms of engine popularity, the E 220 CDI diesel and E350 are the best selling models as each attracts ten percent of all E-Class customers. Not surprisingly, around 40 percent of all customers select a diesel-powered version of the mid-size German luxury car.

"The current E-Class and its predecessor models have been the 'heart' of Mercedes-Benz for more than 60 years now," says Dr. Klaus Maier, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing Mercedes-Benz Cars. "With its typical brand attributes that include safety, comfort, innovation, economy, and quality, the E-Class has delighted around 12 million customers worldwide across eight model generations."

In 2009 Mercedes-Benz will introduce the next generation E-Class model - see first photos here.