Mercedes-Benz Sets All-Time Monthly Sales Record; New Record Also Set for First Quarter

2 April 1998
Mercedes-Benz Sets All-Time Monthly Sales Record; New Record Also Set for First Quarter

    MONTVALE, N.J. April 2 -- Mercedes-Benz of North America,
Inc. (MBNA) today reported it has set an all-time monthly sales record in
March with sales of 16,303 vehicles.  That total also represents an increase
of 69.1 percent over March 1997.  First quarter sales were also at an all-time
high with a total of 40,365, a 64.4 percent increase over the 24,555 vehicles
sold during the same three months last year.
    According to MBNA Chairman & CEO, Michael Bassermann, "Our success is the
result of MBNA's commitment to offer our customers the best value in every
segment in which we compete."  MBNA redefined value in the marketplace in 1993
with the introduction of the mid-size C-Class and continues to lead the way
today with hot-selling products like the E-Class, which starts at $41,800 and
the M-Class, which starts at $33,950.
    The record-setting month was led by the E-Class and C-Class with sales of
4,303 and 3,457 respectively (vs. 4,486 and 2,529).  The C-Class, which was
significantly updated for 1998, set a monthly sales record as well.
    The SLK posted the biggest gain in March with an increase of 94.4 percent
(1,149 vs. 591) followed by the premium S-Class sedans and CL coupes with an
increase of 47.6 percent (1,928 vs. 1,306).  Sales of the SL roadsters also
increased 3.7 percent (757 vs. 730).
    New-for-1998 models continued to reflect high demand: the new ML320 sport
utility vehicle posted sales of 3,978; and the CLK320 coupe recorded sales of
731 vehicles.
    On a year-to-date basis, the E-Class climbed to 10,795 vehicles (vs.
10,462); the C-Class jumped to 9,425 (vs. 7,018); the SLK increased to
2,347 (vs. 1,498); the SL roadsters increased to 1,908 (vs. 1,729) and the
S-Class sedans and CL coupes remained steady at 3,827 (vs. 3,848).
Year-to-date sales of the M-Class and CLK are 10,455 and 1,608 respectively.

SOURCE  Mercedes-Benz of North America, Inc.