MONTVALE, N.J., Jan 03, 2008 - December sales of 27,301 boosted Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) to the highest annual volume in its history. The 253,433 vehicles sold by MBUSA in 2007 mark the 14th consecutive year of annual sales growth in the U.S. market.

The C-Class - the gateway to the Mercedes-Benz brand for younger and first-time Mercedes-Benz buyers - was the volume leader for the year with sales of 63,701 vehicles, a 26.9 percent increase over last year. Behind the C-Class, the E-Class family of sedans and wagons posted sales of 48,950.

The company's SUV models also continued to demonstrate strong momentum led by the popular, redesigned M-Class with sales of 33,879 vehicles for the year, a 7.1 percent increase over 2006 sales, making it the third best-selling model line after the C- and E-Class. Mercedes-Benz's full-size, 7-passenger SUV, the GL-Class, trailed the M-Class with sales of 26,396 vehicles, a 40.6 percent increase over 2006 and the rugged G-Class with sales of 1,152 vehicles, a 96.3 percent increase over 2006 sales. At the high-end of the luxury segment, the highly acclaimed CL-Class luxury coupe achieved an impressive 179.9 percent increase in sales over 2006.

As a leader in diesel innovation and engineering, Mercedes-Benz continued to increase sales within its diesel portfolio which includes the E320 BLUETEC sedan which utilizes the cleanest diesel technology available, E320 CDI, and its diesel SUVs (ML-Class CDI, R-Class CDI and GL-Class CDI). Sales of vehicles in the Mercedes-Benz diesel portfolio - both CDI and BLUETEC models - grew from 6,941 units in 2006 to 12,580 units in 2007, posting an 81.2 percent increase over 2006. The company plans to expand its BLUETEC range to bring 50-state diesels to the U.S. market in 2008.

December Sales

The sales volume leader for the month, the new C-Class model line, gained 32.7 percent for the month with 6,899 units sold compared to December 2006's sales of 5,197 units. The iconic G-Class recorded impressive gains in sales volume for the month (138 vs. 18 units).

Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned Sales

Separately, through the Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned (MBCPO) program, MBUSA sold 4,085 vehicles in December 2007. This boosted the MBCPO year-end total to 50,929 units, a 6.7 percent increase over 2006.

About Mercedes-Benz USA

Headquartered in Montvale, N.J., MBUSA is responsible for the sales, marketing and service of all Mercedes-Benz and Maybach products in the United States. More information on MBUSA and its products can be found on the Internet at www.mbusa.com.