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Mercedes-Benz Reports June Sales

3 July 1997

Mercedes-Benz Breaks All-Time Six Month Sales Record; June Sales Surge by 14.4 Percent for All-Time Monthly High as Well

    MONTVALE, N.J., July 2 -- Mercedes-Benz of North America,
Inc., reported sales of 8,326 new vehicles during the month of June 1997, a
14.4 percent increase over the 7,277 vehicles sold during June 1996.  This
represents the highest six-month sales volume (51,955) in Mercedes-Benz' U.S.
history -- beating the 1987 record of 45,413 vehicles.  This also marks the
highest-ever June sales results, exceeding the previous record of
8,161 vehicles sold in June 1988.
    June 1997 sales of the premium SL roadster models jumped 26.1 percent
(696 vs. 552) over June 1996.  The C-Class continued to climb with 2,685
vehicles sold during June, a 13.3 percent increase over the 2,369 vehicles
sold during the same month last year, while the E-Class also marked a notable
increase of 12.4 percent (3,347 vs. 2,979).
    On a year-to-date basis, the C-Class, E-Class and SL models continued to
out-pace last year's volume with total sales reaching 15,095 for the C-Class,
22,428 for the E-Class and 3,850 for the SL.  The S-Class showed a slight
decrease of 0.7 percent (7,561 vs. 7,612), while overall sales during the
first six months of 1997 reached 51,955, an increase of 23.5 percent over the
42,052 vehicles sold during the same period last year.  Year-to-date sales of
the award-winning SLK reached 3,021, with 453 sales being recorded in June.
    This calendar year, Mercedes-Benz expects to sell in excess of 100,000
vehicles for the first time in its U.S. history.  The M-Class All-Activity
Vehicle, the CLK Coupe, the E-Class wagon, along with a new all-wheel drive
option for the E320 sedans and wagons will join the Mercedes 1998 line this
fall.

SOURCE  Mercedes-Benz of North America, Inc.