Mercedes-Benz USA Reports Best July Sales Ever

MONTVALE, N.J., Aug. 1, 2006 -- Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) continued its strong sales momentum through July, reporting its highest July on record with sales of 21,591 new vehicles, an increase of 3.8 percent over last July. This brings MBUSA's year-to-date sales to 136,526, a 14.3 percent increase representing the best year-to-date sales in the company's history.

July sales were boosted by the Mercedes-Benz flagship S-Class which rose by 52 percent over July 2005 (2,233 v. 1,469 units). The SLK-Class roadster also proved a strong summer performer with a 6.7 percent increase over July 2005 (1,148 v. 1,076).

The Mercedes-Benz portfolio of luxury light trucks -- M-Class, R-Class, GL-Class and G-Class -- continues to demonstrate impressive gains with a significant 62.3 percent increase over last July and a 91 percent increase over the same period last year (35,413 v. 18,544).

Separately, through the Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned program, MBUSA sold 4,368 vehicles in July, an increase of 11.3 percent over July 2005, bringing the year-to-date total to 27,260 units, a one percent increase over year-to-date 2005.

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 www.mbusa.com.

                            MERCEDES-BENZ USA
                            Sales -- July 2006

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

  C-CLASS           5,285     5,336      -1.0%    27,881    31,265    -10.8%

  E-CLASS           4,479     5,506     -18.7%    25,199    25,940     -2.9%

  S-CLASS           2,233     1,469      52.0%    17,817     9,101     95.8%

  CL-CLASS             52        71     -26.8%       381       744    -48.8%

  SL-CLASS            768       824      -6.8%     5,643     5,708     -1.1%

  CLK-CLASS           963     1,748     -44.9%    10,817    11,660     -7.2%

  SLK-CLASS         1,148     1,076       6.7%     7,087     6,871      3.1%

  CLS-CLASS           790     1,143     -30.9%     6,288     9,592    -34.4%

  R-CLASS           1,485       n/a        n/a    11,157       n/a       n/a

  M-CLASS           2,446     3,526     -30.6%    16,772    17,816     -5.9%

  GL-CLASS          1,863       n/a        n/a     7,108       n/a       n/a

  G-CLASS              79        92     -14.1%       376       728    -48.4%

  GRAND TOTAL      21,591    20,791       3.8%   136,526   119,425     14.3%