Mercedes-Benz USA Sales Increase for March 2005

MONTVALE, N.J., April 1 -- Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) today reported sales of 18,162 new vehicles for March 2005, up 1.9 percent compared to last March.

"With the arrival of new engines and new products like the CLS and this week's launch of the much-anticipated new-generation M-Class, we are projecting that 2005 will be the strongest sales year in the history of MBUSA," said Paul Halata, president and CEO of MBUSA.

Volume for the month was led by the C-Class model line which recorded 4,901 units sold, up 1.6 percent from the 4,825 sold last March. Highlights for the month included SLK-Class sales tripling (up 208.7 percent) and a 6.2 percent increase in AMG sales (949 vs. 894 units). In addition, the CLS-Class demonstrated a 29.5 percent jump in sales (1,759 vs. 1,358) compared to February 2005, the model line's first full month on the market.

In the Fall, MBUSA will launch the 2006 R-Class, establishing a new segment called the Sports Tourer. In combination with the new M-Class, this will double the company's penetration in the fast-growing luxury light truck market.

Separately, the Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned vehicle program reported March sales of 4,013 units, bringing the first quarter total to 11,212 units, a 19.7 percent decrease versus the first quarter of 2004.

In 2004, MBUSA achieved its eleventh consecutive year of sales growth by setting the highest sales volume in its history with 221,610 new vehicle sales. Headquartered in Montvale, N.J., 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/.

  Model          March   March    Monthly      YTD        YTD        Yearly
                  '05     '04        %         2005       2004         %
  C-CLASS        4,901   4,825      1.6%      12,469     15,407     -19.1%
  E-CLASS        3,608   4,971    -27.4%       8,929     12,802     -30.3%
  S-CLASS        1,384   1,572    -12.0%       3,476      4,379     -20.6%
  CL-CLASS          99     265    -62.6%         361        658     -45.1%
  SL-CLASS         940   1,430    -34.3%       2,452      3,884     -36.9%
  CLK-CLASS      1,906   1,925     -1.0%       4,590      4,821      -4.8%
  SLK-CLASS      1,170     379    208.7%       3,113        957     225.3%
  CLS-CLASS      1,759     n/a       n/a       3,895        n/a        n/a
  M-CLASS        2,283   2,307     -1.0%       4,207      5,832     -27.9%
  G-CLASS          112     142    -21.1%         284        419     -32.2%

  GRAND TOTAL   18,162  17,816      1.9%      43,776     49,159     -11.0%