Mercedes-Benz USA Records Highest July on Record

MONTVALE, N.J., Aug. 2, 2005 -- Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) today reported its highest July on record with sales of 20,791 new vehicles, an increase of 9.6 percent from last July. This brings the year-to-date sales total to 119,425 vehicles.

With consumers continuing to take road trips to their favorite vacation spots this summer, year-to-date sales increased for Mercedes-Benz coupes, convertibles and luxury light trucks. Year-to-date sales are also strong for AMG models, posting an increase of 15.5 percent over year-to-date 2004.

The month showed a significant jump in SLK-Class sales which increased 325 percent over July 2004. Highlights for the month also included an 11.3 percent sales increase for the E-Class, and gains for the all-new 2006 M-Class, which is up 41.5 percent over July 2004.

"Momentum continues to build from the spring launch of the M-Class and we are gearing up for the introduction of 2006 R-Class this fall. These vehicles boost our representation in the luxury light truck segment, positioning 2005 to be another strong year for Mercedes-Benz sales in the U.S.," said Paul Halata, president and CEO of MBUSA.

Separately, the Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned vehicle program reported July sales of 3,924 units, bringing the year-to-date total to 26,980.

In 2004, MBUSA achieved its eleventh consecutive year of sales growth by setting the highest sales volume in its history with 221,610 new vehicle sales. Headquartered in Montvale, N.J., MBUSA is responsible for the sales, marketing and service of all Mercedes-Benz products in the United States. More information on MBUSA and its products can be found on the Internet at http://www.mbusa.com/ .

                            MERCEDES-BENZ USA

                            Sales -- July 2005

  Model          July '05  July '04  Monthly %  YTD 2005  YTD 2004  Yearly %

  C-CLASS           5,336     5,698   -6.4%      31,265    38,931   -19.7%

  E-CLASS           5,506     4,949   11.3%      25,940    32,193   -19.4%

  S-CLASS           1,469     1,898  -22.6%       9,101    10,873   -16.3%

  CL-CLASS             71       250  -71.6%         744     1,490   -50.1%

  SL-CLASS            824     1,087  -24.2%       5,708     8,106   -29.6%

  CLK-CLASS         1,748     2,237  -21.9%      11,660    12,798    -8.9%

  SLK-CLASS         1,076       253  325.3%       6,871     2,371   189.8%

  CLS-CLASS         1,143       n/a     n/a       9,592       n/a     n/a

  M-CLASS           3,526     2,492   41.5%      17,816    14,562    22.3%

  G-CLASS              92        98   -6.1%         728       806    -9.7%

  GRAND TOTAL      20,791    18,962    9.6%     119,425   122,130    -2.2%