Locally-made E-Class sedans also contributed to Mercedes-Benz sales in China during the period, the company said, without providing figures.

"This year, Mercedes-Benz China will continue to introduce new products to meet the growing demands from the Chinese market. Meanwhile, we will further strengthen our services to maintain a high standard of customer satisfaction," said Klaus Maier, president of Mercedes-Benz (China) Ltd.

Mercedes-Benz China sales still lag behind Audi and BMW due to its recent entry into local production.

Last year, Mercedes-Benz sales in China jumped by 32 percent to 21,200 vehicles, much lower than Audi's 80,808 units and BMW's more than 40,000 units.

However, Dieter Zetsche, chairman of Mercedes Car Group, said last November that the company aimed to surpass BMW in China sales within two years but needed a longer period of time to beat Audi.

Mercedes-Benz started to produce cars in Beijing in January 2006. BMW kicked off China production in 2004. Audi began assembling cars in China in the early 1990s.

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