Mercedes Reports 32.1% Drop in U.S. December Sales, Smart Sells 24,622 ForTwos in 2008

December proved to be a poor month for Mercedes-Benz that reported U.S. sales of 18,507 vehicles, a 32.1 percent decrease over the same month last year. The German automaker's total 2008 volume was 225,128 units, an 11.2 percent decline compared to 2007. Sales of the firm's C-Class model line rose 13.8 percent for the year while sales of the M-Class SUV line-up increased by 1.3 percent. Merc's Smart car unit that made its debut in the U.S. market in 2008, recorded 2,341 sales in December while the company's year-to-date sales came up to a total of 24,622 units.