Sales of Daimler's Mercedes-Benz cars increased by 20% in January to 150,814, buoyed by a 52% jump in China sales. The result represents the 35th consecutive month of increased volume at the premium European brand, Reuters reported. Demand jumped 15% in Europe to 54,937, including a 1.8% rise at home in Germany to 15,779. In the US market, deliveries were flat, increasing just 0.2% to 24,664, while China sales rose to 42,671, the company said in a statement. Strong demand for SUVs and the brand's compact car range continued in the first month of 2016. Sales of the A class, B class, CLA, CLA Shooting Brake and GLA SUV compact models rose 36% to 45,840 units. SUV sales surged 63% to 53,966 last month. Combined monthly sales of Mercedes and Smart cars rose 19% in January to 160,138. Smart sales were up 10% to 9,324, helped by the launches of new ForTwo and ForFour models.
