Mercedes Benz witnessed a decline in its sales by 5.4% in 2008. The reason for this fall could be the slowdown of the current market in the last quarter of 2008.

By the end of the year, the Daimler flagship brands sales fell to 1.12 million reducing the company’s overall sales and getting it closer to its smaller German rival Audi. The company is expecting an increase in its demand once the new E-Class is launched at the Detroit Auto Show which will be held in January itself.

Sales of the Smart grew by 34% in 2008 since its launch in the United States. About 134,000 units of the Smart were sold last year. The company’s luxurious Maybach’s sales also shrunk: the company sold 300 units in 2008 compared to about 400 units sold in 2007.