Mercedes-Benz says that its new used car division has made a "flying start", selling in the two months since launch, 2,000 pre-owned vehicles.

The operation, which sees the company take direct control of its used car retailing, was launched in March, branded Mercedes-Benz Direct and operating out of six centres in Birmingham, Bristol, Waltham Cross, Chelmsford, Hemel Hempstead and Poole.

John Bissett, Mercedes-Benz Direct managing director, said: "Before our launch, around 70% of all pre-owned Mercedes models purchased in Britain were acquired outside our franchised network and Mercedes-Benz Direct was conceived to secure a larger share of the business. The early results show our strategy is on target."