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Mercedes-Benz Records Highest U.S. Sales In Its History

5 January 2000

Mercedes-Benz Records Highest U.S. Sales In Its History With 189,437 Vehicles Sold During 1999

       Best Ever December Sales; Best Year for E, S, M, CLK Model Lines

    MONTVALE, N.J., Jan. 4 -- Mercedes-Benz USA, Inc. (MBUSA)
reported record-breaking year-end sales of 189,437 in 1999, a 11.3 percent
increase over the last year's previous high of 170,245 vehicles sold in the
U.S.  The 1999 sales volume is the highest in the company's history and
represents a doubling of its sales volume over the past three years.  December
sales also set the all-time record for the highest month with 19,118 vehicles
sold -- a 21.1 percent increase over the 15,788 vehicles sold during the same
month in 1998.  This surpasses MBUSA's previous best month ever which was in
October 1999 when 17,768 units were sold.
    Sales for the year were led by the E-Class which recorded its highest year
ever with 50,214 vehicles sold, up 5.6 percent (vs. 47,563).  Trailing closely
behind the E-Class, M-Class sales also accelerated to the highest volume at
45,206 (up 4.8 percent from 43,134).  The S-Class also achieved a record year
as sales increased 91.3 percent to 28,713 (vs. 15,010).  The CLK model line
established a sales record for the year with 16,714 units, an increase of
43.8 percent (vs. 11,622).  The SL-Class finished the year with an increase of
0.6 percent to 7,853 (vs. 7,809).
    The SLK showed a marginal decrease of 0.2 percent to 10,600 (vs. 10,620),
while the C-Class decreased 13.7 percent to 29,770 (vs. 34,487) as the current
model enters its last year of production.
    The record-breaking volume for the month of December was led by the
award-winning M-Class coming in at 4,801 (vs. 3,778), an increase of
27.1 percent, making it the best December on record for the model line.
Following the M-Class, the E-Class posted sales of 4,545 (vs. 4,820), a
marginal decrease of 5.7 percent.  The S-Class, MBUSA's flagship model line,
recorded the best month on record with 3,491 vehicles sold, an increase of
335.2 percent (vs. 802).  The all-new CL500, which debuted in December, posted
an impressive 367 units for the month.  CLK coupes and cabriolets came in at
2,468, up 19.6 percent over last year's 2,064, making it the best month on
record for the model line.   C-Class sales decreased by 14.1 percent (2,267
vs. 2,637) and the SL model line by 25.8 percent (523 vs. 705).  The SLK model
line decreased by 33.2 percent (656 vs. 982).
    Separately, through the company's European Delivery Program, MBUSA
recorded 1,416 tourist delivery sales, its highest year-end total since 1986.
    Additionally, through its Starmark pre-owned vehicle program, MBUSA
recorded sales of 2,333, an increase of 50.3 percent compared to December 1998
sales of 1,552 vehicles.  On a year-to-date basis, Starmark sales increased
131.1 percent to 23,892 (vs. 10,335 in December 1998).