Mercedes-Benz USA Holds the Line on Model Year 2000 Pricing
1 September 1999
Mercedes-Benz USA Holds the Line on Model Year 2000 Pricing; Pricing Down 4.24 Percent on an Equipment-Adjusted Basis; No Overall Price Change
MONTVALE, N.J., Aug. 31 -- Mercedes-Benz USA today announced
pricing for its model year 2000 vehicles, the most extensive line of cars and
light trucks ever offered by Mercedes-Benz in the United States. The 2000
lineup features 20 vehicles within eight distinct model lines including five
new models and a series of custom design models called "designo."
New for 2000 are: the ML55 AMG, the high-performance 342-horsepower
sport-utility vehicle; the V8-powered CLK430 Cabriolet; the new generation
flagship S-Class sedans, S430 and S500 as well as the all-new V8-powered CL500
Coupe. Also debuting for 2000 is a range of designo edition vehicles which
offer a unique color palette of interior and exterior colors within the
Mercedes-Benz line. Additionally, all model year 2000 Mercedes-Benz vehicles
include as standard 4-year/50,000 mile free scheduled maintenance.
Comparing model year 1999 base prices to model year 2000 base prices, the
average price for the 2000 model line remains the same as it was for the 1999
model line. However, when adjusted for additional standard equipment and
features such as free scheduled maintenance (4-year/50,000 miles) across the
entire 2000 Mercedes-Benz line (but excluding the all-new 2000 S-Class and
CL Coupe models), there is a 4.24-percent reduction. For model year 2000,
most Mercedes models include as standard Electronic Stability Program (ESP),
which can help prevent slides and spins on slippery road surfaces; and Touch
Shift feature for automatic transmission (not available on SLK).
C-Class: The mid-size C-Class sedan line continues into 2000 with three
models: the C230 Kompressor, which debuted in 1999 with a supercharged engine
from the SLK roadster; the V6-powered C280 and the limited-production
V8-powered C43 AMG. With a suggested retail price of $31,750, the C230
Kompressor represents a 6.2-percent reduction from the 1999 C230. New
standard features include ESP; Touch Shift; TeleAid (a GPS-based emergency
call system); a telescopic steering column; and free scheduled maintenance
(4-year/50,000 miles). The C280 has a suggested retail price of $35,950, a
6.5-percent reduction when adjusted for additional equipment. The
high-performance C43 AMG is priced at $53,000 (the same as 1999) but, with
additional equipment factored in, represents a 4.4-percent reduction versus
the 1999 model.
E-Class: The Mercedes-Benz E-Class line, the company's highest volume
model line, ups the ante again for 2000 with a facelift and a number of new
features including rear door-mounted side airbags. The 2000 E-Class features
a hoodline which is nearly an inch lower, new wheels, front and rear aprons,
and rocker panels. The E-Class line includes the V6-powered E320 sedan,
priced at $47,100 (a 6.7-percent equipment-adjusted net reduction); the E320
wagon, priced at $47,950 (a 7.9-percent equipment-adjusted net reduction); the
V8-powered E430 sedan, priced at $52,450 (a 4.7-percent equipment-adjusted net
reduction); and the limited-edition E55 AMG is priced at $69,800 (a
4.1-percent equipment-adjusted net reduction). New standard features include
Touch Shift; TeleAid; and free scheduled maintenance (4-year/50,000 miles).
ESP is now standard on all E-Class models (standard only on E430 in 1999).
The designo models are available in Espresso and designo Silver.
M-Class: The highly acclaimed Mercedes-Benz M-Class sport-utility vehicle
line adds a third model for 2000, the limited-production high-performance ML55
AMG. Powered by a 342-horsepower V8, the ML55 (as well as the ML430) comes
standard with a factory installed GPS navigation system featuring a large,
integrated display on the center console. The ML55 AMG is priced at $64,900;
the ML430 remains at $43,750 (the same base price as in 1999 but representing
a 8.3-percent equipment-adjusted net reduction); while the award-winning
V6-powered ML320 is $35,300 (a 7.4-percent equipment-adjusted net reduction).
All M-Class models now include as standard: free scheduled maintenance
(4-year/50,000 miles); a Modular Control System with 5" LCD display in the
center console; Touch Shift; rear side airbags; burl walnut trim and
color-keyed exterior body trim.
CLK: The popular CLK model line features major interior and exterior
enhancements for model year 2000 and a new cabriolet. The CLK line includes:
the V6-powered CLK320 coupe, priced at $41,600 (a 5.5-percent
equipment-adjusted net reduction); the CLK320 Cabriolet priced at $48,100
(a 4.9-percent equipment-adjusted net reduction), and the V8-powered CLK430
coupe, priced at $49,100 (a 3.3-percent equipment-adjusted reduction). New
for the CLK model line for 2000 is the V8-powered CLK430 Cabriolet, priced at
$55,600. All CLK-Class coupes and cabriolets include as standard equipment
Touch Shift; TeleAid; ESP; free scheduled maintenance (4-year/50,000 miles).
The designo models are available in Espresso and Slate Blue.
SLK: For 2000, the chic SLK roadster comes with a choice of five-speed
automatic or manual transmission, priced at $41,900 and $41,000 respectively,
an increase of about 2.5 percent compared to the 1999 models (0.4-percent
equipment-adjusted net increase). The designo models are available on the SLK
in Copper and Electric Green. Standard now is free schedule maintenance
(4-year/50,000 miles).
SL: The legendary SL coupe/roadster line continues into 2000 with two
models: the 5.0-liter V8-powered SL500 and the V12-powered SL600. Both the
SL500 and the SL600 are available with special-order soft tops in brown, blue
and green. The 2000 SL500 is priced at $82,600, an 1.8 percent increase
(a 0.4-percent equipment adjusted reduction) over 1999 pricing. The SL600 is
priced at $128,950, a 1.6 percent increase (up 0.1 percent when adjusted for
the additional equipment) versus 1999. TeleAid and free scheduled maintenance
(4-year/ 50,000 miles) is now standard on the SL. The designo models are
available in Black Diamond and Slate Blue.
S-Class: Launched in March of this year, the new generation of Mercedes'
flagship S-Class sedans features two models: the all-new V8-powered S430 and
S500. The S430 and the S500 are priced at $69,700 and $77,850, respectively.
Both S-Class sedans include as standard TeleAid; the COMAND system (cockpit
management and data system); ESP; free scheduled maintenance (4-year/
50,000 miles) curtain side airbags and rear-door mounted side airbags. The
designo models are available in Espresso and designo Silver.
CL: The all-new V8-powered 2000-CL premium luxury coupe will debut in the
U.S. in January 2000. The incomparable CL coupe will feature revolutionary
Active Body Control (ABC), the world's only high-performance active suspension
system that virtually eliminates body roll and pitch during cornering, braking
and acceleration. The CL Coupe offers the same innovative technology as the
S-Class sedans including ESP; TeleAid; free scheduled maintenance
(4-year/50,000 miles); and curtain side airbags. Pricing, which will be
announced closer to launch, is expected to be at or below the outgoing model
(MY99 CL500: $91,900), in line with Mercedes' ongoing value strategy.
2000 Mercedes-Benz
Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Prices
% %
Change Change,
equipment-
Model 2000 MSRP 1999 MSRP adjusted
C-Class Sedans
C230 Kompressor $31,750 $31,200 1.8 -6.2
C280 $35,950 $35,600 1.0 -6.5
C43 AMG $53,000 $53,000 0 -4.4
E-Class Sedans and
Wagon
E320 Sedan $47,100 $46,200 1.9 -6.7
E320 Wagon $47,950 $47,200 1.6 -7.9
E430 Sedan $52,450 $51,300 2.2 -4.7
E55 AMG $69,800 $69,100 1.0 -4.1
M-Class
Sport-Utility
ML320 $35,300 $34,950 1.0 -7.4
ML430 $43,750 $43,750 0 -8.3
ML55 AMG $64,900 New for 2000 All New Car All New Car
CLK-Class
CLK320 Coupe $41,600 $40,600 2.5 -5.5
CLK320 Cabriolet $48,100 $47,200 1.9 -4.9
CLK430 Coupe $49,100 $47,900 2.5 -3.3
CLK430 Cabriolet $55,600 New for 2000 All New Car All New Car
SLK Roadster
SLK230 Kompressor $41,000 $40,000 2.5 0.4
CL-Class Coupes
CL500 TBD $91,900 0 0
SL Coupe/Roadsters
SL500 $82,600 $81,100 1.8 -0.4
SL600 $128,950 $126,900 1.6 0.1
S-Class Sedans
S430 $69,700 New for 2000 All New Car All New Car
S500 $77,850 New for 2000 All New Car All New Car
Destination charge for all models: $595
Federal Gas Guzzler tax: SL500: $1,000; SL600: $2,600; S500: $1,000;
E55 AMG: $1,000