MONTVALE, NJ – Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) today reported sales of 20,733 new vehicles for July 2008, an 11.6-percent increase over last July. This brings the year-to-date total to 140,012 units, marking a 2.3-percent increase over the same period last year and setting the new record for MBUSA year-to-date sales.

Both the volume-leading C-Class and highly acclaimed E-Class model lines posted gains of 45.4-percent and 53-percent increases respectively. Other highlights for July sales include an 8.9-percent sales increase in CLK-Class coupes and cabriolets, and an impressive 28.1-percent increase for the full-sized GL-Class SUV. As a group, sales of Mercedes-Benz passenger cars rose 17.8 percent for the month (15,239 vs. 12,936 units).

Compared to the first seven months of 2007, the popularity of the C-Class was demonstrated through a 37.9 percent sales increase with 43,603 units sold.  Overall as a group, year-to-date sales of Mercedes-Benz passenger cars rose by 3.5 percent (100,398 vs. 97,022 units).  Year-to-date increases were also recorded in the Mercedes-Benz SUV segment with a 0.7 percent gain in full-sized GL-Class sales and an 11.9 percent gain in M-Class sales.

Separately, through the Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned program, MBUSA marked a 17.2-percent increase for July sales with 5,175 vehicles sold, bringing year-to-date sales to a total of 36,533 units, an increase of 19.9 percent over the same period in 2007.