Mercedes-Benz Kicks Off 2010 With January Sales Up 45.3 Percent

MONTVALE, N.J., Feb. 2, 2010 -- Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) today reported January sales of 15,158 vehicles, a 45.3% improvement over January 2009, starting 2010 with robust momentum.

Strong demand in both the Mercedes sedan and light-truck categories fueled the increase in sales volume for the month. In the sedan category, the popularity of the C-Class - the gateway to the Mercedes-Benz brand for younger and first-time Mercedes-Benz buyers - maintained its lead as the volume leader with sales of 4,028, up 32.8% over January 2009. The all-new, 9th generation E-Class continued to shine with sales of 3,824, up an astounding 116.3% over January 2009.

As further proof of the Mercedes-Benz competitive presence in the luxury light truck market, the champion M-Class reported sales of 1,927, up 42.2% over last January; the sporty GLK followed suit with sales of 1,803, up 38.7% - beating its launch numbers of 1,300 posted in January 2009.

Separately, through the Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned (MBCPO) program, MBUSA sold 6,229 vehicles in January; a 7.8 percent decrease compared to January 2009 with sales of 6,753 vehicles.

  Model           Jan '10 Jan '09  Monthly %  YTD 2010 YTD 2009 Yearly % 
  -----           ------- -------  ---------  -------- -------- -------- 
                                                                       
  -------          -----   -----      ----     -----    -----     ---- 
  C-CLASS          4,028   3,032      32.8%    4,028    3,032     32.8%
  -------          -----   -----      ----     -----    -----     ---- 
                                                                       
  -------          -----   -----     -----     -----    -----    ----- 
  E-CLASS          3,824   1,768     116.3%    3,824    1,768    116.3%
  -------          -----   -----     -----     -----    -----    ----- 
                                                                       
  -------            ---     ---      ----       ---      ---     ---- 
  S-CLASS            812     516      57.4%      812      516     57.4%
  -------            ---     ---      ----       ---      ---     ---- 
                                                                       
  --------            --     ---     -----        --      ---    ----- 
  CL-CLASS            62     100     -38.0%       62      100    -38.0%
  --------            --     ---     -----        --      ---    ----- 
                                                                       
  --------           ---     ---      ----       ---      ---     ---- 
  SL-CLASS           242     133      82.0%      242      133     82.0%
  --------           ---     ---      ----       ---      ---     ---- 
                                                                       
  ---------          ---     ---     -----       ---      ---    ----- 
  CLK-CLASS          360     601     -40.1%      360      601    -40.1%
  ---------          ---     ---     -----       ---      ---    ----- 
                                                                       
  ---------          ---     ---     -----       ---      ---    ----- 
  SLK-CLASS          100     172     -41.9%      100      172    -41.9%
  ---------          ---     ---     -----       ---      ---    ----- 
                                                                       
  ---------          ---     ---     -----       ---      ---    ----- 
  CLS-CLASS          111     206     -46.1%      111      206    -46.1%
  ---------          ---     ---     -----       ---      ---    ----- 
                                                                       
  -------            ---     ---     -----       ---      ---    ----- 
  R-CLASS            156     242     -35.5%      156      242    -35.5%
  -------            ---     ---     -----       ---      ---    ----- 
                                                                       
  -------          -----   -----      ----     -----    -----     ---- 
  M-CLASS          1,927   1,355      42.2%    1,927    1,355     42.2%
  -------          -----   -----      ----     -----    -----     ---- 
                                                                       
  --------            --      --      ----        --       --     ---- 
  G-CLASS             72      58      24.1%       72       58     24.1%
  --------            --      --      ----        --       --     ---- 
                                                                       
  --------         -----     ---      ----     -----      ---     ---- 
  GL-CLASS         1,225     950      28.9%    1,225      950     28.9%
  --------         -----     ---      ----     -----      ---     ---- 
                                                                       
  ---------        -----   -----      ----     -----    -----     ---- 
  GLK-CLASS        1,803   1,300      38.7%    1,803    1,300     38.7%
  ---------        -----   -----      ----     -----    -----     ---- 
                                                                       
  ---------          ---   -----                 ---    -----          
  *SPRINTER          436       -                 436        -          
  ---------          ---   -----                 ---    -----          
                                                                       
  -----------     ------  ------      ----    ------   ------     ---- 
  GRAND TOTAL     15,158  10,433      45.3%   15,158   10,433     45.3%
  -----------     ------  ------      ----    ------   ------     ----

  *Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Sprinter Vans are sold and marketed  
   in the U.S. by Mercedes-Benz USA and Daimler Vans USA, respectively.

  About Mercedes-Benz USA

Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA), headquartered in Montvale, New Jersey, is responsible for the distribution, marketing and customer service for all Mercedes-Benz and Maybach products in the United States. MBUSA offers drivers the most diverse line-up in the luxury segment with 12 model lines ranging from the sporty C-Class to the flagship S-Class sedans and CL coupes. MBUSA is also responsible for the distribution, marketing and customer service of Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Vans in the US.

More information on MBUSA and its products can be found at www.mbusa.com, www.maybachusa.com and www.mbsprinterusa.com.

  Accredited journalists can connect with and follow us at:
  Media Site:  www.media.mbusa.com
  Facebook:  www.facebook.com/mbusapressoffice
  Twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/MBUSA_News