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Mercedes-Benz Reports July Sales

5 August 1997

Mercedes-Benz Roadster Sales Rev Up in July; Mercedes Sets All-Time Seven-Month Sales Record

    MONTVALE, N.J., Aug. 5 -- Mercedes-Benz of North America,
Inc., (MBNA) reported sales of 6,741 new vehicles in July, contributing to an
all-time seven-month sales record of 58,696 vehicles.  The year-to-date figure
shows an increase of 18.4 percent over the 49,556 vehicles sold during the
same seven-month period last year.  Although sales for the month of July
decreased 10.2 percent over the 7,504 vehicles sold during July 1996, MBNA --
which is on track to exceed 100,000 units this year for the first time in its
history -- attributes the July result to low inventory levels in conjunction
with the transition to 1998 model production startup.
    Year-to-date sales of the Mercedes-Benz roadsters continue to rev up with
an 11.3 percent increase (4,280 vs. 3,846) for the SL model line.  Production
of the SLK will be increased, raising retail availability from over 6,000 in
1997 to more than 10,000 in 1998.  To date, sales of the retractable hard-top
convertible have reached 3,598.
    Year-to-date sales of the C-Class increased by 11.2 percent
(17,750 vs. 15,964); the E-Class climbed 19.5 percent (24,531 vs. 20,534)
while the S-Class showed a marginal decline of 7.3 percent (8,537 vs. 9,212).
    For July, overall sales of the Mercedes-Benz roadsters grew as the SL
model line increased by 5.7 percent (430 vs. 407) and sales of the SLK totaled
577 vehicles.  For the month, the C-Class climbed 12.3 percent
(2,655 vs. 2,365) over July 1996, while the sales of the S-Class decreased by
39 percent (976 vs. 1,600) and the E-Class dropped 32.9 percent
(2,103 vs. 3,132).
    In September, Mercedes-Benz of North America, Inc. will launch the largest
retail sales initiative in its history.  In addition to the hot-selling SLK,
Mercedes will introduce three new 1998 vehicles including the M-Class all-
activity vehicle, the CLK Coupe and the E320 wagon, along with optional all-
wheel drive for the E320 sedan and wagon.

SOURCE  Mercedes Benz of North America Inc.