Since the European market launch of the second generation M-Class in April 2005, Mercedes-Benz has delivered 250,000 models of the SUV to customers around the world. Featuring the most advanced technology - such as the 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel drive, AIRMATIC air suspension, and the PRE-SAFE® anticipatory occupant protection system - this trendsetter among today's offroaders continues to be a great success in this growing market segment.

In September 2007 global sales of the M-Class once again reached new record levels, contributing significantly to the record-breaking sales that Mercedes-Benz posted in the SUV segment. Since the beginning of this year, 131,300 M-, R-, GL-, and G-Class vehicles were delivered to Mercedes-Benz customers worldwide, an 11 per cent increase compared to the same period last year.

In Australia, 5,027 units of the second generation M-Class been delivered to customers since the vehicle was launched here in October 2005. Worldwide, the ML 320 CDI is the top seller among the M-Class engine versions, representing approximately 40 per cent of M-Class sales. This figure is also reflected in Australia, with the ML 320 CDI, the most popular choice for customers, accounting for just over 41 per cent of local M-Class sales.

Beginning next year, three clean and economical Mercedes-Benz SUVs with BLUETEC technology  - the M-Class, GL-Class and R-Class - will be available to American customers in all 50 states. These vehicles comply with the stringent BIN 5 standard and also have the potential to meet future EU5 and EU6 limits.

In June of this year, the J.D. Power study “Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout” (APEAL) confirmed the customers’ very positive response to the M-Class: Two vehicles from the Mercedes-Benz line-up of SUVs, the M-Class and the GL-Class, which received a Gold award, came out top in the customer survey. As part of the annual study, the U.S. market researchers ask owners of new vehicles how satisfied they are with their vehicles’ concepts.