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Mercedes-Benz USA Reports September Sales

4 October 2000

Mercedes-Benz USA Reports All-Time Best September on Record With Sales of 16,952 New Vehicles

         MBUSA Year-to-Date Sales Up 10.8 Percent to 150,752 Vehicles

    MONTVALE, N.J., Oct. 3 Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) reported
its all-time best September on record with sales of 16,952 vehicles during
September 2000, up 12.7 percent from the September 1999 sales record of
15,038.  Year-to-date sales also hit an all-time record with a 10.8 percent
increase to 150,752 vehicles, versus 136,004 sales during the comparable
period in 1999.
    Sales of the all-new C-Class which launched this month, soared 35.2
percent versus September 1999 sales of the previous generation model
(3,305 vs. 2,444) and established a September sales record for the C-Class.
Year-to-date sales are 5.3 percent ahead of last year (24,229 versus 23,021).
    Following a record month in August, the E-Class was once again the volume
leader with 4,853 units sold in September, a 22.6 percent increase over
September 1999 sales of 3,960.  This represents the best September on record
for the E-Class.  Year-to-date, E-Class sales in 2000 (37,781) are 2.7 percent
above 1999's record pace (36,798).
    Led by the launch of the all-new CLK55 AMG, CLK sales totaled 904 cars, up
4.8 percent from September 1999.  Year-to-date sales of the ever-popular CLK
family of vehicles are up 29.7 percent (13,544 compared to 1999's 10,446).
    Continuing its string of record sales months, September SLK roadster sales
of 1,061 units represents a 69.8 percent increase over September 1999 sales
(625 units) and the best September ever for the SLK.  Year-to-date SLK sales
are 22.7 percent ahead of 1999 (10,435 versus 8,503).
    S-Class sales of 2,230 represented the best September ever and a 21.1
percent increase over 1999's S-Class sales of 1,841.  Year-to-date, 22,017
S-Class vehicles were sold, up 13.7 percent over last year (19,369).  The
all-new CL-Class continues its strong momentum, recording 159 sales in its
tenth month on the market.  SL-Class sales of 473 units were 7 percent above
sales of 442 units in September 1999.
    Though M-Class sales in September declined from 4,863 to 3,967, the
year-to-date sales of M-Class sport utility vehicles show a strong 15.4
percent increase from 32,072 to 37,016.
    The following individual models established all-time new car sales records
in September: C240, C320, E430 4Matic Sedan, CL600 and CLK55 AMG.
    Separately, through its Starmark certified pre-owned vehicle program,
MBUSA recorded sales of 2,679 for the month, an increase of 39 percent
compared to September 1999 sales of 1,928 vehicles.  On a year-to-date basis,
Starmark sales increased 30.9 percent to a total of 22,677 versus 17,330 in
September 1999.