Mercedes-Benz USA Records February 2006 Highest on Record

MONTVALE, N.J., March 1, 2006; Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) today reported its highest February on record with sales of 17,356 new vehicles, an increase of 28.4% over last February, bringing year-to-date total sales to 29,825 new vehicles.

Boosting the February volume was the launch of the all-new 2007 S-Class, Mercedes flagship vehicle, which recorded 3,360 units, a 226.8 percent increase over February 2005. Highlights for the month also included a 31 percent increase in volume for the CLK-Class family of coupes and convertibles (1,911 vs. 1,459 units) and a 128.3 percent increase in sales of the luxury SUV M-Class (2,155 vs. 944 units).

Sales for Mercedes vehicles in the luxury light truck segment continue to gain momentum as a group with a 355 percent increase over February 2005. In 2006, the company plans to continue to expand its presence in the luxury light truck segment with the introduction of the GL-Class.

Separately, through the Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned program, MBUSA sold 3,459 vehicles in February, bringing annual sales for the year to a total of 6,525 units.

In 2005, MBUSA achieved its twelfth consecutive year of sales growth by setting the highest sales volume in its history with 224,421 new vehicle sales. Headquartered in Montvale, N.J., MBUSA 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 -- February 2006

  Model        February  February  Monthly %  YTD 2006  YTD 2005  Yearly %
                 '06       '05

  C-CLASS        2,976     4,020    -26.0%     6,074     7,568    -19.7%

  E-CLASS        2,310     2,596    -11.0%     4,775     5,321    -10.3%

  S-CLASS        3,360     1,028    226.8%     4,283     2,092    104.7%

  CL-CLASS          45       127    -64.6%       113       262    -56.9%

  SL-CLASS         542       835    -35.1%     1,070     1,512    -29.2%

  CLK-CLASS      1,911     1,459     31.0%     3,037     2,684     13.2%

  SLK-CLASS        701     1,062    -34.0%     1,320     1,943    -32.1%

  CLS-CLASS        832     1,358    -38.7%     1,733     2,136    -18.9%

  R-CLASS        2,469       n/a      n/a      3,155       n/a      n/a

  M-CLASS        2,155       944    128.3%     4,117     1,924    114.0%

  G-CLASS           55        84    -34.5%       148       172    -14.0%

  GRAND TOTAL   17,356    13,513     28.4%    29,825    25,614     16.4%