Mercedes-Benz USA Reports Best July Ever for Sales of SLK and C-Class

    MONTVALE, N.J. - Mercedes-Benz USA is reporting year-to-date sales are up 
8.7 percent to 115,690 vehicles, versus 106,450 sales at the same point last
year.  The company recorded sales of 15,291 new vehicles during the month of 
July 2000, down 8.2 percent from the July 1999 sales record of 16,654.

    Volume for the month of July was led by the SLK roadster, which showed an
increase of 33.3 percent to 1,411 (vs. 1,053) -- record July sales for the SLK
model line.  C-Class sedan sales soared 22.4 percent over last year, reaching
3,388 cars in July, the best July ever since the launch of the C-Class in
November 1993.

    The all-new limited-production CL-coupe continues its strong momentum,
recording 91 sales in its seventh month on the market.  Due to the model-year
changeover, the S-Class sedan decreased 16.9 percent in July, with sales of
2,244 vs. 2,699 cars last July.  The E-Class model line followed suit, with
sales of 3,181, down 27.7 percent from the 4,398 vehicles sold in July 1999.
The M-Class recorded sales of 3,646 sport-utility vehicles, a decrease of nine
percent from the 4,008 vehicles sold during the same month last year.  The SL
coupe/roadsters finished the month with 352 cars sold (vs. 660), a decrease of
46.7 percent.  CLK coupes and cabriolets totaled 978 cars (vs. 1,069), down
8.5 percent.

    On a year-to-date basis, the M-Class accounts for the largest volume with
28,976 vehicles sold (vs. 23,312), up 24.3 percent.  Close behind the M-Class,
E-Class sales total 27,602 (vs. 29,399), down 6.1 percent.  C-Class sales of
18,392 cars (vs. 17,963) for the year are up 2.4 percent.  Year-to-date
S-Class sales are up 10.2 percent to 16,774 (vs. 15,225), while sales of the
new CL models numbered 1,045.

    The CLK model line has sold 11,592 cars (vs. 8,645), an increase of
34.1 percent.  Sales of SL models show a decrease of 30.8 percent to 3,311
(vs. 4,781).  The SLK has increased 12.3 percent to 7,998 (vs. 7,125).

    Separately, through its Starmark certified pre-owned vehicle program,
MBUSA recorded sales of 2,534, an increase of 18.5 percent compared to July
1999 sales of 2,138 vehicles.  On a year-to-date basis, Starmark sales
increased 30.9 percent to a total of 17,424 (vs.13,309 in July 1999).