MERCEDES-BENZ said demand for its new E-class was 'developing positively' despite difficult market conditions in many European countries.

The manufacturer said that two months after the car's continental launch it had sold more than 36,000 models – with worldwide advance orders totalling more than 100,000 units during the first five months of the year.

At launch, Mercedes-Benz told Fleet News Europe it was keen to sell more cars to user-chooser fleets across Europe.

Commenting on the situation to date, international fleet executive Holger Klein, based in Stuttgart, said: 'We are more than satisfied with initial results and the reception of the vehicle in the targeted user-chooser fleets in all European markets where the car was launched in March. Not only was the customer reaction positive, but sales are also looking very positive.'