Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) reported its all-time best September on record with sales of 17,480 new vehicles, breaking the record of 16,952 set in September 2000. Year-to-date sales also hit an all-time record with 153,692 units sold, up 2.4 percent over last year's record-setting pace of 150,105. September sales volume was led by the C-Class family of sedans, coupes and wagons, which recorded 4,810 units, setting an all-time September sales record. Boosted by its recent launch, the all-new E-Class recorded 4,397 units in September - a 61.2 percent increase over the 2,728 sold in September 2001. Year-to-date, the C-Class model line was also the volume leader with 48,998 new C-Class models sold, a 38.9 percent increase over the first three quarters of 2001. "Our new models will provide strong momentum for the remainder of the year," said Keith May, vice president of sales for MBUSA. "The E-Class and CLK have been tremendously well-received by our customers and dealers, and the highly anticipated addition of our 4MATIC four-wheel-drive system on C-Class sedans and wagons will further enhance the C-Class family." Other highlights for the month included major sales gains for the high-end model lines. Sales for Mercedes-Benz's high-end model lines as a group - the CL, SL and S-Class models - increased 7 percent year-to-date with 27,434 units sold through September in 2002 vs. 25,528 sold through September in 2001. "With the pending launch of the facelifted S-Class sedans and CL-Class coupes, we anticipate a strong finish to the year for our high-end vehicles," added May. "The astonishing new Pre-Safe system, our 493-horsepower bi-turbo V12, and the addition of 4MATIC give these models new excitement. The addition of all these new models and features make our line up as diverse and exhilarating than ever." Separately, through its Starmark pre-owned vehicle program, MBUSA recorded sales of 3,212, an increase of 5.1 percent over last September. On a year-to-date basis, Starmark sales increased 15.7 percent to 32,281 units sold compared to 27,898 year-to-date in 2001.