STUTTGART -- Mercedes-Benz deliveries in China rose nearly 17 percent year on year in November to 42,310 vehicles on strong demand for the redesigned E-class sedan and Mercedes' lineup of SUVs.
The German automaker's Smart minicar brand also prospered, as sales in China doubled last month from a year earlier. Mercedes did not provide unit sales for Smart. 
In the first 11 months, Mercedes sales in China jumped nearly 28 percent to 429,325 vehicles.
Mercedes is challenging rival BMW for bragging rights as China's No. 2 luxury brand, behind market leader Audi. BMW and Audi have not yet reported China sales for November.
On Monday, Mercedes China chief Hubertus Troska told reporters that Mercedes' sales growth likely will slow next year. But he added that the carmaker's outlook is "extremely positive" because of strong demand for the redesigned E-class sedan.