Daimler AG Reports a 5.3 Percent Increase for Mercedes-Benz and smart Vehicles in the U.S. for February 2011

Knowledge Base: Mercedes-Benz Buyer’s Guide

-- Mercedes-Benz USA Records February Sales of 16,176 Vehicles - an Improvement of 5.1 Percent over February 2010 and a 9.5 % Increase on a Year-to-Date Basis

-- smart USA Records 484 Sales in February 2011 - an Improvement of 9.5 Percent over February 2010 and a 17 Percent Increase on a Year-to-Date Basis

NEW YORK--March 1, 2011: Daimler AG (stock exchange abbreviation DAI) today reported U.S. sales of 16,660 Mercedes-Benz and smart vehicles, an improvement of 5.3 Percent compared to February 2010. All sales figures in this release are on an unadjusted basis unless otherwise noted.

Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) today reported February sales of 16,176 vehicles, a 5.1% improvement over February 2010 and the highest February volume since 2008. 15,464 passenger cars, light truck vehicles and 712 Sprinter vans are included in this total.  On a year-to-date basis, the 33,449 vehicles sold represent a 9.5% increase.

The highest volume performers for the month were the C- and E-Class model lines. The sporty C-Class, the gateway to the Mercedes-Benz brand for younger and first-time Mercedes-Benz buyers, lead the pack with sales of 4,479, up 5.5% over February 2010. The 9th generation E-Class continued its strong momentum with sales of 4,203, up 4% over February 2010.  MBUSA's versatile SUV, the M-Class, followed in volume with sales of 1,924, up 16.3% compared to February 2010 while the compact GLK SUV trailed closely with sales of 1,853.

At the high end, the iconic SL-Class was up 83.7%, followed by the commanding G-Class, up 40% and the CL flagship coupe increased by 35.1%.  The company also sold 83 of its supercar -- the SLS AMG -- bringing its year-to-date sales to 153.

Sales of Sprinter Vans increased by 38.3% for the month to 712 and to 1,587 on a year-to-date basis, up 66.9%.

smart USA recorded 484 sales in February 2011, an increase of nearly 10 percent from February 2010 and the second consecutive month of year-over-year sales increases. Smart sales are up 17 percent to begin the year. The smart fortwo electric drive arrived at smart center dealerships across the country this past month, and dealers are now offering consumer test drives.

Detailed vehicle sales information for MBUSA will be announced in a separate press release issued by Mercedes-Benz USA.