Mercedes-Benz USA Reports Sales of 18,443 for October 2001

MONTVALE, N.J., Nov. 1 -- Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) reported its all-time best October on record with sales of 18,443 vehicles, up 0.3 percent from October 2000 sales of 18,381. Year-to-date sales of 168,548 are virtually equal to the 169,133 vehicles sold during the record-setting pace established in the first ten months last year.

Sales for the month of October were led by the all-new C-Class, which recorded 5,391 units, up 56.6 percent from the 3,443 sold in October of 2000. Right behind the C-Class, the M-Class sport utility recorded sales of 4,345 vehicles. CLK sales increased 82.3 percent to 1,956 units, compared to 1,073 for last October, while the SLK roadster models registered 796 unit sales.

The top-of-the-line CL-Class coupe recorded 298 units, an increase of 68.4 percent over October 2000 (177). Sales of S-Class sedans were virtually equal to last year with sales of 2,425, while the renowned SL coupe/roadsters finished the month at 172.

On a year-to-date basis, sales are led by the C-Class at 40,665, followed by M-Class sales of 37,501; E-Class sales of 37,013; S-Class at 21,607; CLK sales of 14,948; SLK sales of 9,998; SL sales of 3,845; and CL sales at 2,971 units.

Separately, through its Starmark certified pre-owned vehicle program, MBUSA recorded sales of 3,363 for the month, the third best month ever for Starmark sales, which is an increase of 38.7 percent compared to October 2000 sales of 2,424 vehicles. On a year-to-date basis, Starmark sales increased 24.5 percent to a total of 31,261 versus 25,101 in October 2000.