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Mercedes-Benz Continues 2000 Sales Record in February

2 March 2000

Mercedes-Benz Continues 2000 Sales Record in February; Sales of 15,546 Best February Ever for Mercedes-Benz

    MONTVALE, N.J., March 1 -- Mercedes-Benz USA, Inc. (MBUSA)
reported sales of 15,546 new vehicles during the month of February 2000, a
26.8 percent increase over last year's February 1999 sales record of 12,257.
This represents the highest February sales volume ever by MBUSA and the tenth
consecutive month where the company posted year-over-year sales gains.
    For the second consecutive month, sales were led by the award-winning M-
Class, which recorded its highest February sales ever, with 4,605 vehicles, up
42.7 percent (vs. 3,226).  Following the M-Class, E-Class posted sales of
3,550, an increase of 2.3 percent from 3,470 vehicles sold during the same
month last year.  C-Class sales recorded 2,182 units, a 3.4 percent decrease
from 2,258 in 1999.  The S-Class, MBUSA's flagship model line, also achieved a
February sales record as sales increased 123.7 percent to 1,978 (vs. 884).
The all-new CL500 posted 131 units in its third month in the market. The SL-
Class finished the month with 433 units sold, a decrease of 21.4 percent (vs.
551).  The CLK model line established a February sales record for the month
with 1,710 units, an increase of 65.9 percent (vs. 1,031).  The SLK showed an
increase of 14.3 percent to 957 (vs. 837), which represents the best February
ever for this model line.
    On a year-to-date basis, the M-Class accounted for the largest volume with
8,452 vehicles sold, up 39 percent (vs. 6,080).  Trailing closely behind the
M-Class, E-Class sales remained virtually even with last year's sales volume
(7,164 vs. 7,113).  S-Class sales increased 82.4 percent to 3,866 (vs. 2,139).
The CLK model line sold 3,189 units, an increase of 34.0 percent (vs. 2,379).
Sales of the SL-Class posted a decrease of 23.2 percent to 836 (vs. 1,089).
The SLK showed a decrease of 11.2 percent to 1,426 (vs. 1,607), while C-Class
sales remained on par with last year's sales ( 4,065 vs. 4,075) as the current
model enters its last year of production.
     Separately, through its Starmark pre-owned vehicle program, MBUSA
recorded sales of 2,362,
an increase of 51.2 percent compared to February 1999 sales of 1,562 vehicles.
On a year-to-date basis, Starmark sales increased 40.4 percent to 4,463 (vs.
3,178 in February 1999).