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Mercedes-Benz Records November U.S. Sales

3 December 1997

Mercedes-Benz Records Third Consecutive Month of Record-Breaking Sales; Highest November U.S. Sales Volume in Company History

    MONTVALE, N.J., Dec. 3 -- Mercedes-Benz of North America,
Inc. (MBNA) reported its third consecutive all-time record-setting month in
November with sales of 12,671 new vehicles, pushing to a new annual sales
record of 107,627 vehicles.  Sales for the month increased by 60 percent over
last November (12,671 vs. 7,901), making this the highest November volume ever
for MBNA and the third highest sales month in its history (following October
and September 1997).
    The strongest gain for the month was in the C-Class model line which
soared 20.8 percent (3,113 vs. 2,578).  The E-Class posted an increase of 6.2
percent (3,542 vs. 3,334); S-Class a decrease of 9.2 percent (1,301 vs. 1,432)
while SL roadsters climbed to 606 vehicles -- an 8.8 percent increase over the
557 sold during November 1996.  Sales of MBNA's new-for-1998 models continued
strong, led by the M-Class all-activity vehicle with sales reaching 3,239
while the SLK roadster recorded sales of 628 and the new CLK coupe, 242.
    On a year-to-date basis, sales increased 31 percent over the 82,292
vehicles sold during the same eleven-month period in 1996.  Sales through
November were led by the E-Class which climbed to 39,127 vehicles, a 14.2
percent increase over the 34,272 vehicles sold during the first eleven months
of 1996.
    C-Class sales accounted for the next highest sales volume with 29,092
vehicles sold (a 12 percent increase versus 25,983) followed by the S-Class
with sales of 14,755 (6.7 percent behind 15,812 in 1996).  Sales of the M-
Class totaled 10,481.
    Sales of the SL roadster climbed to 7,315 -- a 17.5 percent increase over
the 6,225 vehicles sold during the same period last year.  The SLK and the CLK
sold 6,174 and 683, respectively.
    With the sale of its 100,000th vehicle during November, MBNA broke all
previous annual sales records for Mercedes in the U.S. market.  MBNA intends
to sell over 115,000 vehicles during calendar year 1997.

SOURCE  Mercedes-Benz of North America, Inc.