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Mercedes Records Highest U.S. Sales in its History

5 January 1999

Mercedes Records Highest U.S. Sales in its History with 170,245 Vehicles Sold During 1998

    Year-to-Date Sales Up 39.2 Percent Over 1997's Record-Breaking Volume

    MONTVALE, N.J., Jan. 4 -- Mercedes-Benz of North America,
Inc. (MBNA) reported record-breaking year-end sales of 170,245 vehicles in
1998, a 39.2 percent increase over last year's previous high of 122,265
vehicles sold in the U.S.  The 1998 sales volume is the highest in the
company's U.S. history and represents a doubling of the sales volume over the
past three years.  December sales also set an all-time record for December
with 15,788 vehicles sold -- a 7.9 percent increase over the 14,638 vehicles
sold during that same month in 1997.
    "This year marks the latest -- and certainly the most impressive -- in a
series of record-breaking years for Mercedes-Benz in the U.S. market.  We have
doubled our sales volume in a three-year period with an incredible stream of
innovative new products, backed by the industry's most effective and
innovative marketing and communications initiatives, all of which has been
ambitiously and aggressively carried forth by the best retail network in the
industry," said Mike Jackson, president and CEO of MBNA.
    Sales for the year were led by the E-Class which recorded its highest year
on record with 47,563 vehicles sold, up 11.0 percent (vs. 42,883).  Behind the
E-Class, sales of the M-Class continue to accelerate to its highest year at
43,134 (up 196.0 percent from 14,569).  The C-Class also achieved a record
year as sales increased 6.0 percent to 34,487 (vs. 32,543).
    S-Class/CL coupes showed a marginal decrease of 6.8 percent (15,010 vs.
16,119), while the SL-Class decreased slightly to 7,809 (down 2.7 percent vs.
8,025).  CLK sales soared to 11,622 (vs. 1,236), while year-to-date sales of
the SLK continued to exhibit strong demand with sales increasing to 10,620
(up 54.1 percent from 6,890).
    The record-breaking volume for December was also led by the E-Class model
line coming in at 4,820 (vs. 3,756), an increase of 28.3 percent followed
closely by the award-winning M-Class which posted sales of 3,778 (vs. 4,088),
a decrease of 7.6 percent.  C-Class sales decreased by 23.6 percent (2,637 vs.
3,451) and the SL model line by 0.7 percent (705 vs. 710).  S-Class sales
decreased by 41.2 percent (802 vs. 1,364), as final supply of the current
generation model declines.
    All of the new Mercedes-Benz models exhibited strong performance.  The
Mercedes-Benz SLK roadster continued to soar in December with sales of 982
(vs. 716) an increase of 37.1 percent.  Sales of the CLK320 were 413 (vs. 553)
while the new V8 powered CLK430 and CLK320 Cabriolet posted its strongest
month yet with sales of 757 and 894 respectively.