MBUSA Reports August 2004 Sales Of 17,984

Mercedes-Benz Monthly Sales Up 2.3 Percent

MONTVALE, N.J., Sept. 1 -- Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) reported sales of 17,984 new vehicles for August 2004, a 2.3 percent increase over last August (17,583 vehicles). The highly acclaimed E-Class line of sedans and wagons grew 13.5 percent in August (4,594 vs. 4,047 units last year). Other highlights for the month included a 24.8 percent increase for the CLK-Class with the sales of 2,068 vehicles, while the top-of-the-line S-Class sedans increased 19.8 percent (1,962 vs. 1,638 units). Additionally, sales of the flagship CL-Class coupes increased 12.6 percent for the month (233 vs. 207 units).

Year-to-date sales totaled 140,114 units. The CLK-Class model line of coupes and cabriolets increased 15.9 percent year-to-date (14,866 vehicles sold), while the SL-Class increased 14.5 percent year to date (8,963 units) and the E-Class increased 6.9 percent year-to-date (36,787 units).

MBUSA is on target to set another record year as the new 2005 Mercedes- Benz models begin to arrive at dealerships nationwide, led by the all-new SLK roadster, the fuel-efficient E320 CDI, the Special Edition M-Class sport utility vehicle and a newly redesigned C-Class model line. Additionally, an array of new AMG models complement the 2005 model line, including: the C55 high-performance sport sedan, the G55 AMG sport utility vehicle and the top- of-the-line SL65 and CL65.

Separately, MBUSA sold 4,600 units for its Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre- Owned program in August, bringing its certified pre-owned sales for the year to 38,767 -- an increase of 10.1 percent over year-to-date 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 --- August 2004

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

  C-CLASS               5,529    5,569   -0.7%   44,460   45,661   -2.6%

  E-CLASS               4,594    4,047   13.5%   36,787   34,414    6.9%

  S-CLASS               1,962    1,638   19.8%   12,835   13,956   -8.0%

  CL-CLASS                233      207   12.6%    1,723    2,384  -27.7%

  SL-CLASS                857    1,050  -18.4%    8,963    7,829   14.5%

  CLK-CLASS             2,068    1,657   24.8%   14,866   12,825   15.9%

  SLK-CLASS               374      570  -34.4%    2,745    4,334  -36.7%

  M-CLASS               2,289    2,670  -14.3%   16,851   19,618  -14.1%

  G-CLASS                  78      175  -55.4%      884    1,192  -25.8%

  GRAND TOTAL          17,984   17,583    2.3%  140,114  142,213   -1.5%