Mercedes-Benz USA Records Best July Sales in its History

MONTVALE, N.J., Aug. 3, 2004 -- On pace to set another record- breaking year, Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) reported sales of 18,962 new vehicles for July 2004, a 1.2 percent increase over last July. This marks the best July sales in MBUSA history.

For the month, volume was led by the C-Class with 5,698 vehicles sold. The highly-acclaimed E-Class grew 12.8 percent (4,949 vs. 4,388 units) for July, while the top-of-the-line S-Class sedans increased 34 percent (1,898 vs. 1,416 units). Additionally, sales of CLK coupes and cabriolets rose 58 percent, and the elite CL-Class coupes increased 15.7 percent for the month. The quintessential Mercedes, the SL-Class roadster, also posted an increase with 3.8 percent more sales compared to last July.

Year-to-date sales totaled 122,130 units, down two percent compared to the same period in 2003. The C-Class model line of coupes, sedans and wagons paved the way as volume leader for year-to-date sales, posting 38,931 units, while E-Class sales rose 6.0 percent. In addition, the CLK-Class increased 14.6 percent and the classic SL roadster gained 19.6 percent in year-to-date sales versus the same period last year.

The new 2005 Mercedes-Benz models are beginning to arrive at dealerships nationwide, led by the fuel-efficient E320 CDI, the Special Edition M-Class sport utility vehicle and a newly redesigned C-Class model line. Over the remainder of the year, the company will introduce a new-generation SLK roadster, the 617-hp SLR McLaren supercar, the G55 AMG sport utility vehicle, and two more high-performance AMG models - the SL65 and the CL65.

Separately, MBUSA sold 5,029 units for its Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned program in July 2004, posting an increase of 6.2 percent for the month. This brought its certified pre-owned sales for the year to 34,167 -- an increase of 13 percent over the first seven months of 2003.

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 -- July 2004

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

  C-CLASS             5,698     6,518    -12.6%    38,931    40,092    -2.9%

  E-CLASS             4,949     4,388     12.8%    32,193    30,367     6.0%

  S-CLASS             1,898     1,416     34.0%    10,873    12,318   -11.7%

  CL-CLASS              250       216     15.7%     1,490     2,177   -31.6%

  SL-CLASS            1,087     1,047      3.8%     8,106     6,779    19.6%

  CLK-CLASS           2,237     1,416     58.0%    12,798    11,168    14.6%

  SLK-CLASS             253       591    -57.2%     2,371     3,764   -37.0%

  M-CLASS             2,492     3,027    -17.7%    14,562    16,948   -14.1%

  G-CLASS                98       123    -20.3%       806     1,017   -20.7%

  GRAND TOTAL        18,962    18,742      1.2%   122,130   124,630    -2.0%