---

June 2000 Sales of 17,919 Best June Ever for Mercedes-Benz

5 July 2000

Mercedes-Benz Reaches 100,000 Unit Threshold in June

    MONTVALE, N.J. - Mercedes-Benz USA reported sales of 17,919 new vehicles 
during the month of June 2000, a 9.1 percent increase over last year's June 1999 
sales record of 16,417.  June represents the third-best month ever for MBUSA and 
the fourteenth consecutive month in which the company posted year-over-year 
sales gains. Year-to-date sales increased 11.8 percent to 100,399 versus the 
89,796, surpassing the 100,000 unit threshold on June 30 -- 28 days earlier than 
in 1999.  Volume for the month of June was led by the E-Class model line with 
sales of 3,862, a decrease of 10.1 percent over the 4,298 vehicles sold in June 
1999.  Following the E-Class, the award-winning

    M-Class continues its impressive sales performance with 3,811 units sold,
an increase of 17.6 percent from the 3,240 vehicles sold during the same month
last year.  C-Class sales soared 22.8 percent over last year, reaching 3,373
units in June, the best June ever since the launch of the C-Class in November
1993.  The S-Class, MBUSA's flagship model line, recorded a 1.6 percent
increase in June sales with sales of 3,021 (vs. 2,974 units), making it the
best June ever for the S-Class.  The S500 posted its all-time best monthly
sales of 1698 vehicles.  The all-new top-of-the-line CL500 continues with
strong momentum, recording 164 units in its seventh month on the market. The
SL-Class finished the month with 428 units sold, a decrease of 40.3 percent
(vs. 717).  CLK coupes and cabriolets established a June sales record with
1,862 units, an increase of 39.5 percent (vs. 1,335).  The SLK roadster models
showed an increase of 26.3 percent to 1,398 (vs. 1,107), a record June sales
month for the SLK model line.  The new V-6 powered SLK320 sold an impressive
653 units its third month on the market.

    On a year-to-date basis, the M-Class accounted for the largest volume with
25,330 vehicles sold, up 31.2 percent (vs. 19,304).  Trailing closely behind
the M-Class, E-Class sales showed a marginal decrease of 2.3 percent to 24,421
( vs. 25,001).  Year-to-date S-Class sales increased 16.0 percent to 14,530
(vs. 12,526).  The CLK model line sold 10,614 units, an increase of 40.1
percent (vs. 7,576).  Sales of the SL models posted a decrease of 28.2 percent
to 2,959 (vs. 4,121).  The SLK showed an increase of 8.5 percent to 6,587 (vs.
6,072), while C-Class sales decreased 1.3 percent to 15,004 (vs. 15,196),
virtually even versus one year ago as the current model continues through its
last year in production.

    Separately, through its Starmark pre-owned vehicle program, MBUSA recorded
sales of 2,444, an increase of 16.9 percent compared to June 1999 sales of
2,091 vehicles.  On a year-to-date basis, Starmark sales increased 33.3
percent to 14,890 units sold (vs. 11,171 in June 1999).