MBUSA Reports November 2004 New Car Sales

MONTVALE, N.J., Dec. 1, 2004 -- Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) reported November sales of 18,832 vehicles, an increase of 3.4 percent over last November, pushing the company's year-to-date volume to 194,714. The month's sales marked the second-best November in MBUSA history, surpassed only by record sales in November 2002.

November sales volume was led by the C-Class with 6,297 units sold, an impressive 29.5 percent increase over last year. Sales for the month were further strengthened by the enthusiastic reception to the new SLK-roadster which was launched this Fall, as sales for the sporty model line more than tripled to 1,293 units sold. CLK-Class coupes and cabriolets posted gains of 7.7 percent for the month with 1,618 units sold.

On a year-to-date basis, the C-Class model line was the volume leader with 60,381 units sold. Highlights for year-to-date sales also include a strong performance by the CLK-Class with a 17 percent increase over the same period in 2003 (20,441 vs. 17,478). Sales of the highly-acclaimed E-Class model line grew by 3.9 percent year-to-date (51,378 vs. 49,429).

The company is preparing to launch the largest product offensive in its history beginning in 2005, further expanding its product portfolio in the luxury market. Highlights will include introductions of new products in new segments -- from January's launch of the CLS, an all-new highly styled four- door coupe, to the Spring launch of the all-new M-Class SUV, to highly anticipated offerings in the new "sport touring" segment scheduled for the Fall of 2005: the Grand Sports Tourer ("R-Class") and the Compact Sports Tourer ("B-Class").

Separately, MBUSA recorded 3,585 units for its Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned program in November, bringing the total to 51,178 units sold, an increase of 5.8 percent year-to-date.

In 2003, MBUSA achieved its tenth consecutive year of sales growth by setting the highest sales volume in its history with 218,717 new vehicle sales. Headquartered in Montvale, New Jersey, MBUSA is responsible for the sales, marketing and service of all Mercedes-Benz products in the United States. More information on MBUSA and its products can be found on the Internet at http://www.mbusa.com/ .

                            MERCEDES-BENZ USA
                          Sales -- November 2004

  Model          Nov. '04  Nov. '03   Monthly %  YTD 2004  YTD 2003 Yearly %

  C-CLASS           6,297     4,861       29.5%    60,381    60,657    -0.5%

  E-CLASS           4,925     5,202       -5.3%    51,378    49,429     3.9%

  S-CLASS           1,733     2,086      -16.9%    18,082    20,643   -12.4%

  CL-CLASS            238       262       -9.2%     2,428     3,120   -22.2%

  SL-CLASS            794     1,388      -42.8%    11,804    11,782     0.2%

  CLK-CLASS         1,618     1,502        7.7%    20,441    17,478    17.0%

  SLK-CLASS         1,293       342      278.1%     5,659     5,652     0.1%

  M-CLASS           1,804     2,366      -23.8%    23,223    26,419   -12.1%

  G-CLASS             130       201      -35.3%     1,318     1,750   -24.7%

  GRAND TOTAL      18,832    18,210        3.4%   194,714   196,930    -1.1%