New York, NY – Daimler AG (NYSE: DAI) today reported total group sales (Mercedes-Benz and smart combined) of 22,542 passenger vehicles in the U.S. for March 2008. All sales figures in this release are on an unadjusted basis unless otherwise noted.

While experiencing a marginal 3.7 percent decrease in its sales for the month of March (20,808 vs. 21,612), Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) maintained a three percent increase for the first quarter of 2008 (57,647 vs 55,985) bringing year-to-date sales to the highest level in the company’s history. Highlights for the first quarter 2008 include significant increases in the Mercedes-Benz C-Class model line (up 39.6 percent) and the Mercedes-Benz M-Class model line (up 28.5 percent).

smart USA continues to deliver vehicles to excited reservation holders across the United States. Currently 67 smart centers are operational and representing smart in the U.S. American consumer response remains strong as the company still has well over 30,000 net reservations and dealership traffic remains strong.

Detailed vehicle sales information for MBUSA will be announced later today in a separate press release issued by Mercedes-Benz USA.

 

* smart sales in the U.S. started in mid January 2008