A total of approximately 26,500 orders were received for the new M-Class within a few days of the off-road vehicle's market launch in Western Europe.

At the beginning of April, the new M-Class got off to an excellent start in its primary sales market, the U.S., where it has made a major contribution to the sales record set by Mercedes-Benz. The new M-Class is underscoring its position in this rapidly growing market segment by featuring state-of-the-art technology such as the 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission as standard, a choice of three new powerful engines, the upgraded 4ETS all-wheel drive system, the AIRMATIC air suspension and the preventive occupant protection system PRE-SAFE®.

In 1997, Mercedes-Benz introduced the first-generation M-Class, of which approximately 650,000 units were sold to customers around the world.