Schumacher European, Ltd. / Mercedes-Benz

Large and in-charge Mercedes-Benz SUVs made a huge impact on the auto market in 2011. Yes, that's right, readers. The numbers are in, and sales for the brand's SUVs rose over 24 percent last year in comparison to the 2010 year. The Mercedes-Benz G-Class, in particular, has been doing very well for itself for quite some time now. The newer, Mercedes-Benz ML class also helped the brand on its rise in sales, but the Mercedes-R Class really led the way this year, with sales increases of fifty percent.

The North American Auto Show in Detroit has already come and passed this month, but Mercedes-Benz left a last impression with its new E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID and E400 HYBRID vehicles, the first of which will be launched in Europe, and the second of which will be released in North America and several Asian countries.