Mercedes-Benz sold more cars in Britain in the first 10 weeks of this year than in any of the first 10 years of its UK operation.

And sales for the first quarter of this year will set a new record, official figures to be released in a few days time, the manufacturer says, will confirm.

The sales success comes on top of seven consecutive years of record sales of Mercedes-Benz cars in the UK. Britain is the third largest market in the world for Mercedes-Benz after Germany and the USA.

Mercedes-Benz (UK) was formed in 1974 when 4,436 Mercedes cars were sold. By 1984 annual sales had increased to 14,437. But in the first 10 weeks of this year alone more than 15,000 Mercedes had been sold.

Sales have continued to accelerate this year and have now exceeded 20,000, around 12 per cent ahead of last year.

Dermot Kelly, director of Mercedes-Benz Cars in the UK, said: "These are fantastic figures and are a tribute to the strength of our product. We are winning new customers all the time because our cars meet their very demanding requirements.

"Our product range is growing, with models like the new C-Class estate car, long-wheelbase A-Class and sporty AMG models, coming on stream during the next few months. "We have the strongest product range of any manufacturer and it's the strength of the Mercedes-Benz product that has seen our terrific sales success."

Mr Kelly made no mention of Mercedes-Benz dealer network, which is taking legal action to get the company to reverse its decision to terminate all their contracts.