Truly staggering numbers for it`s first year of production. Im really shocked the C is doing so well with the awards and stuff.

With all this great info the competition just doesn`t come close. Not even in the homeland. The Germans really seem to like this car a lot!

I don't about about global,but here in states it is not even close. The 3er is out selling C by a huge margin.

The C-class outselling the 3 series is not a new thing. When the W203 C-class was introduced, almost EVERYONE (except die hard BMW fans) thought it was a very good looking sedan which looked like a mini S-class (W220). It was also the "sportiest" C-class ever and for the first few years of its introduction, the W203 also outsold the E46 3 series globally (which was introduced 2 years earlier). After the first few years, and the excitement died down over the C-class, sales dropped signficantly while E46 sales maintained a certain level, When the E90 3 series made its debut, it was game over for the W203 C-class.....the number of W203's sold in the last 2 years of its life (2006-2007) were pretty small.

So now, the same thing is happening. People are very excited about the new W204 C-class, and it is selling very well. The question is whether they can maintain this level of excitement and desirablity LONGER than what the W203 achieved relative to the 3 series.

I think this time around Mercedes will play a few cards under their sleves to keep the momentum going. The Advanced Agility Package hasn't made it's debut in North America to my understanding, and no mention about the new V6 which is now in the SLK. My guess is they're waiting for the F/L 3er before they put it in.

This could be explained by the fact that the W203 was not really up to the standards MB customers were used to. It looked very good, but the interior was pretty cheap compared to the e46, and overall I think it could not really stand the comparison with the e46.

This is the difference with the W204: this car is really built like a true old MB, reliable like a true old MB, finished like a true old MB. So the clients are extremely happy with it, which was not always the case with the W203.

That said, I also think the e90 will eventually outsell the W204, but not by the margin of W203/e46. The W204 is a way better car than the W203.

3-series will outsell C-class just like S-class is outselling 7-series.
Newly introduced cars sell more than cars being on the market for a while, question is, can the new car maintain this year after year?

If my memory is correct, Audi A4 is selling more cars than 3-series and C-class in Germany. Germans do love their A4's. Audi may not have strong sales in US but in Europe they are doing well.

Regarding C-class, that car need a new engine , particulary a 335i engine.

The C-Class is currently the sales leader in Germany, approximatively since its market introduction. But the e90 is not far at all and could outsell the Merc with the FL.

The A4 did remarkably well even in its last months, don't know about the new one.

The new 220cdi could make miracles for the C-Class (the current has a too hign consumption).

In time of old A4, W203 and e46, you had e46 then A4 (not far at all) and then W203 (noticeably less than the two others).

Kudos to MB! I was expecting results like this 'cause the new C is big improvement over the old one.

Those brand new upcoming torque monster diesels (250cdi, etc) coming later this year are certainly gonna help issues, even more than the updated V6 engine. Those diesels are the major sellers across the range.

its not as certain as some ppl make it sound that a new car sells more than the older competition..
i dont think the new 7er for example will have a first year world sales higher than the S..
so yeah this is an achivement