Mercedes-Benz USA reported on July 2 its best first half of the year ever with sales of 16,159 new vehicles for June 2002, bringing the year-to-date total to 102,927, a 2.7 percent increase versus the same period last year. "We're happy that the first two quarters have been so strong, especially considering that our traditional volume leader - the E-Class - is phasing out the current edition model in preparation for the introduction of the all new E-Class this August. This leaves us well-positioned for the third and fourth quarters to post our sixth consecutive record-breaking year," said Keith May, vice president of sales for MBUSA. The new C-Coupe boosted C-Class sales, making it the volume-leader with a 72.1 percent increase for the month (5,516 units vs. 3,205 in June 2001). Year-to-date, the C-Class also led with sales of 32,857 vehicles, an increase of 45.7 percent over the same period as last year. Other highlights for the month included the growing popularity of coupes and roadsters as the SL-, CL-, and CLK-Classes posted June sales increases of 67.8 percent, 48.7 percent and 40.7 percent respectively. Year-to-date, the SL- and CL-Classes also posted strong gains. Separately, through its Starmark pre-owned vehicle program, MBUSA recorded sales of 3,602, an increase of 2.4 percent over last June. On a year-to-date basis, Starmark sales increased 17.8 percent to 21,733 units sold.