Mercedes-Benz USA Records 15,169 New Vehicle Sales

MONTVALE, N.J., Feb. 3, 2004 -- Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) today reported sales of 15,169 new vehicles, down 3.1 percent from last year. Volume for the month was led by the C-Class which recorded its best January ever with 4,763 units sold, a 3.3 percent increase over last year.

Several models posted all-time highs for January, most notably the SL- Class with a 102.3 percent increase over January 2003 which boosted the high- end model lines (S-, CL- and SL-Classes as a group) to a 3.6 percent increase over last year. Other highlights included an impressive 39.1 percent increase in sales of the CLK-Class model line of coupes and cabriolets and a 20 percent jump in sales of the stylish all-terrain G-Class.

Separately, MBUSA recorded its best January on record through its Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned vehicle program with sales of 4,295 units, an increase of 17.5 percent over January 2003.

Heading into 2004, MBUSA marked its tenth consecutive year of sales growth in 2003. With the upcoming introductions of the new 617-hp SLR McLaren supercar, a new generation of AMG models leading with the CL65 AMG, and the fuel-efficient E320 CDI, MBUSA will further expand its product portfolio in the luxury car market. In addition, MBUSA will offer the new generation SLK roadster, an updated C-Class and a special edition M-Class and G-Class this year.

                             January January Monthly    YTD     YTD  Yearly
  Model                        '04     '03      %      2004    2003     %

  C-CLASS                     4,763   4,613    3.3%   4,763   4,613    3.3%

  E-CLASS                     3,866   4,513  -14.3%   3,866   4,513  -14.3%

  S-CLASS                     1,453   1,824  -20.3%   1,453   1,824  -20.3%

  CL-CLASS                      175     324  -46.0%     175     324  -46.0%

  SL-CLASS                    1,222     604  102.3%   1,222     604  102.3%

  CLK-CLASS                   1,408   1,012   39.1%   1,408   1,012   39.1%

  SLK-CLASS                     273     360  -24.2%     273     360  -24.2%

  M-CLASS                     1,859   2,275  -18.3%   1,859   2,275  -18.3%

  G-CLASS                       150     125   20.0%     150     125   20.0%

  GRAND TOTAL                15,169  15,650   -3.1%  15,169  15,650   -3.1%