Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) reported its highest January volume on record with sales of 15,650 new vehicles, a 3.7 percent increase over last year. Volume for the month was led by the C-Class which recorded its best January on record with 4,613 units sold, a 1.7 percent increase over last year. Following closely in volume, E-Class sales posted 4,513 units sold, surpassing last year's E-Class sales by 42.2 percent. According to the company, several models posted all-time highs for January, most notably the top-of-the-line CL-Class's 6.2 percent increase over January 2002. Other highlights in the high-end model include a substantial 45.2 percent increase in S-Class sales and a significant jump in sales of SL-Class models. Overall, the high-end model lines (S-, CL- and SL-Classes) saw a sales increase of 55.3 percent for the month compared to last January. Separately, MBUSA recorded its best January on record through its Starmark certified pre-owned vehicle program with sales of 3,655 units, an increase of 6.1 percent over last January, said the company. Heading into 2003, over half of MBUSA's lineup consists of new or updated models. With the 2003 debut of the 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system in its C-Class and S-Class lines, MBUSA is anticipating an emerging trend in the luxury car market. With the introduction of the 2004 E-Class wagon later this year, MBUSA says it will be offering all-wheel-drive versions of all its sedans and wagons for the first time ever.