MONTVALE, N.J. - Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) reported sales of 17,811 new vehicles in May, a decrease of 1.8 percent compared to last May. This brings the year-to-date sales total to 80,392 units, a 6.2 percent decrease from the first five months of last year.

The month did show some significant growth, including the recently launched all-new 2006 M-Class which recorded 3,319 sales - a 66.2 percent increase over May 2004. Strong sales performance was also evident in the SLK-Class model line with 814 units (up 119.4 percent) and in the G-Class increase of 32.3 percent (127 vs. 96 units).

'We expect momentum to pick up as we ramp up production of the new M-Class. On the heels of that, we will have introductions of all-new engines in our C-Class and SLK-Class model lines and the Fall introduction of the 2006 R-Class all of which should make 2005 another strong year for Mercedes-Benz sales in the U.S.,' said Keith May, vice president of sales for MBUSA.

Separately, the Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned vehicle program reported May sales of 3,850 units, bringing the year-to-date total to 19,263.

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 www.mbusa.com.