Mercedes-Benz USA Records Sales of 18,074 for May 2002 Year-To-Date Sales Up 4.7 Percent

MONTVALE, N.J., June 3 -- Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) reported sales of 18,074 new vehicles for May 2002, bringing the year-to-date total to 86,768, a 4.7 percent increase versus the same period last year. Volume was led by the C-, E-, and M-Class vehicles.

"We are pleased about how the year is progressing. As our model line-up transitions to the new E-Class and CLK-Class, our sales momentum will only grow stronger," said Keith May, vice president of sales for MBUSA.

The positive reception of the new C-Coupe boosted C-Class as the volume leader with sales of 6,321, up 43.1 percent over the previous May. Year-to- date, the C-Class also led with 27,341 vehicles sold, an increase of 41.3 percent. Other highlights for the month included the strong demand for the all-new SL roadster with 1,209 units sold for the month and 6,334 on a year-to-date basis. The CL-Class also posted strong gains with a 30.3 percent increase for May and 5.6 percent increase for year-to-date compared to 2001 sales.

Separately, through its Starmark pre-owned vehicle program, MBUSA recorded sales of 3,819, an increase of 11.4 percent over last May, making this the highest may on record for pre-owned sales. On a year-to-date basis, Starmark sales increased 21.4 percent to 18,131 units sold.

    Mercedes-Benz USA
    May 2002 Sales Chart


    Model               May        May   Monthly     YTD      YTD    Yearly
                        '02        '01     %         2002     2001     %
    C-CLASS TOTAL      6,321      4,416   43.1%     27,341  19,345    41.3%

    E-CLASS TOTAL      2,377      4,485  -47.0%     14,677  18,713   -21.6%

    S-CLASS TOTAL      2,002      2,245  -10.8%      8,642  10,941   -21.0%

    CL TOTAL             434        333   30.3%      1,689   1,600     5.6%

    SL TOTAL           1,209        741   63.2%      6,334   1,870   238.7%

    CLK TOTAL          1,345      1,621  -17.0%      7,555   7,955    -5.0%

    SLK TOTAL            910      1,175  -22.6%      3,690   4,568   -19.2%

    M-CLASS TOTAL      3,131      4,259  -26.5%     15,490  17,902   -13.5%

    G-CLASS              345        n/a     n/a      1,350     n/a      n/a

    GRAND TOTAL       18,074     19,275   -6.2%     86,768  82,894     4.7%