In financial news, Mercedes-Benz USA announced yesterday that for the month of March, sales of passenger cars rose 0.9 percent to 21,612 new vehicles, the highest ever March sales on record.  The figure brings MBUSA's year-to-date sales to 55,985 new units, an increase of 9.3 percent when compared to the first quarter of last year and also the highest first quarter on record for the U.S. division.

As for what attributed to the slight sales increase, the C-Class and E-Class were Mercedes' two volume leaders, with the models noting sales of 4,486 and 4,019 units, respectively. Demand for the new CL-Class continued its positive momentum, with the luxury coupe noting sales of 295 units.  And in the luxury light truck segment, composed of the M-, GL-, G- and R-Class model ranges, sales again noted a marked increase, rising 33 percent when compared to March 2006.

To learn more about Mercedes-Benz USA's March sales, keep reading for the official press release.

Enjoy.


OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE


MONTVALE, N.J., April 3
Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) today reported its highest March on record with sales of 21,612 new vehicles, an increase of 0.9 percent over last March, bringing year-to-date sales to 55,985 new vehicles, a 9.3 percent increase compared to the first quarter of 2006 and the highest first quarter on record for MBUSA.

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class was the volume leader for the month with sales of 4,486, closely trailed by the Mercedes-Benz E-Class with sales of 4,019. The new flagship Coupe, the Mercedes-Benz CL-Class which starts at $100,675, continued to be in high demand with sales of 295.

Luxury light truck models -- M-, GL-, R- and G-Classes -- had a significant 33 percent increase over March 2006.

Separately, through the Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned program, MBUSA sold 5,181 vehicles in March, bringing first quarter sales to 12,700, a 21.5 percent increase over the same period last year.

Mercedes-Benz USA, headquartered in Montvale, New Jersey, is responsible for the sales, marketing and service of all Mercedes-Benz and Maybach products in the United States. In 2006, MBUSA achieved an all-time sales record of 248,080 new vehicles, setting the highest sales volume ever in its history and achieving 13 consecutive years of sales growth.

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