Mercedes-Benz USA Records 18,141 New Vehicle Sales

Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned Program Posts Best Sales Month Ever

MONTVALE, N.J., June 2 -- Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) reported sales of 18,141 new vehicles in May, a decrease of 5.4 percent compared to last May. This brings the year-to-date sales total to 85,684 units, a 3.4 decrease from 2003's year-to-date record of 88,655 units.

The volume leader for the month was the C-Class model line of sedans, coupes and wagons, which posted an impressive 11.9 percent jump in sales for the month. Sales of the highly acclaimed E-Class model line increased 5.9 percent to 5,034 units in May 2004 versus 4,755 in May 2003. The classic SL- Class roadster, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, demonstrated gains of 6.5 percent for the month.

In addition, for the first five months of the year, the C-Class model line paved the way as volume leader for year-to-date sales, posting 27,382 units. Year-to-date sales increased by 5.3 percent in the E-Class line of sedans and wagons, and jumped 32.3 percent in the SL-Class.

The new 2005 Mercedes-Benz models are beginning to arrive at dealerships nationwide, led by the fuel-efficient E320 CDI, the special edition of its M- Class sport utility vehicle and a newly redesigned C-Class model line. Over the remainder of the year, the company will introduce the 617-hp SLR McLaren supercar, a new-generation SLK roadster, the G55 Kompressor sport utility vehicle, and two more high-end AMG models -- the SL65 and the CL65. The company expects the new 2005 models will help boost MBUSA's annual sales volume to an all-time record high for 2004.

Separately, MBUSA recorded its best month ever for its Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned program with sales of 5,512 units, an increase of 11.1 percent over May 2003. On a year-to-date basis, Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned sales increased 17.5 percent over the same period last year (24,587 vs. 20,930 units).

In 2003, MBUSA achieved its tenth consecutive year of sales growth by setting the highest sales volume in its history with 218,717 new vehicle sales. Mercedes-Benz USA, headquartered in Montvale, New Jersey, is responsible for the sales, marketing and service of all Mercedes-Benz products in the United States. More information on MBUSA and its products can be found on the Internet at http://www.mbusa.com/.

                            MERCEDES-BENZ USA
                            Sales -- May 2004

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

  C-CLASS                     6,008   5,371   11.9%  27,382  27,807   -1.5%

  E-CLASS                     5,034   4,755    5.9%  22,901  21,747    5.3%

  S-CLASS                     1,635   1,989  -17.8%   7,413   9,281  -20.1%

  CL-CLASS                      181     376  -51.9%   1,073   1,685  -36.3%

  SL-CLASS                    1,072   1,007    6.5%   6,297   4,759   32.3%

  CLK-CLASS                   1,747   2,226  -21.5%   8,335   8,582   -2.9%

  SLK-CLASS                     371     699  -46.9%   1,794   2,556  -29.8%

  M-CLASS                     1,997   2,591  -22.9%   9,857  11,510  -14.4%

  G-CLASS                        96     153  -37.3%     632     728  -13.2%

  GRAND TOTAL                18,141  19,167   -5.4%  85,684  88,655   -3.4%

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