MBUSA Reports 2nd Best June in MBUSA History With Sales of 17,322; Year-to-Date Sales of 100,216 Push MBUSA Toward Another Record-Breaking Year

    MONTVALE, N.J., July 3 Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) reported
June sales of 17,322 vehicles, trailing slightly behind June 2000 (17,919),
making this the second highest June on record.  On a year-to-date basis, the
June sales pushed the company's volume to 100,216, only 0.2 percent off from
last year's record setting pace (100,399), as the company prepares to embark
on another product offensive beginning with the introduction of the company's
much-anticipated all-new C-Class coupe later this month.
    Sales for the month of June were led by the E-Class with sales of 4,708,
up 21.9 percent from the 3,862 sold in June of 2000.  Right behind the
E-Class, the M-Class sport utility models achieved sales of 4,497 units, up
18 percent (vs. 3,811).
    June sales of 3,205 for the C-Class model line reflected a five percent
decrease as the company prepares to launch new coupe and wagon models for
2002, beginning with the $24,950 C230 sports coupe which will arrive in dealer
showrooms this month.
    Sales of 1,285 for SLK roadster models marked an 8.1 percent decline for
the month (vs. 1,398).  CLK sales were also behind with 929 units, down
50.1 percent compared with 1,862 for last June.
    The CL-Class recorded its best June ever with sales of 224 for the
flagship coupes, an increase of 36.6 percent over June 2000 (164).  Sales of
S-Class sedans were 1,829, compared with 3,021 sold in June of last year.  The
reknowned SL coupe/roadsters finished the month at 645, up by 50.7 percent
(vs. 428).
    On a year-to-date basis, sales were led by the E-Class at 23,421, down
4.1 percent versus the 24,421 sold during the first six months of last year.
The C-Class was close behind with 22,550 models sold, a 50.3 percent increase
from last year (vs. 15,004).  At 22,399, M-Class sales were down 11.6 percent
(from 25,330) on a year-to-date basis.
    The CLK model line recorded sales of 8,884 units (vs. 10,614), down
16.3 percent for the first six months.  Sales of 5,853 for the SLK model line
trailed last year by 11.1 percent (vs. 6,587).
    The flagship CL coupes recorded their best year-to-date performance ever
with 1,824 vehicles sold, surpassing last year's volume by 91.2 percent (vs.
954).  Sales of the S-Class sedans posted a 12.1 percent decrease to 12,770
(vs. 14,530).
    Separately, through its Starmark pre-owned vehicle program, MBUSA marked
yet another milestone with sales of 3,516, an increase of 43.9 percent
compared to June 2000 (2,444).  June 2001 sales represent the highest month
ever for the Starmark program.  On a year-to-date basis, Starmark sales
increase 23.9 percent to 18,446 units sold (vs. 14,890 in June 2000).