Daimler AG Reports a 23.5 Percent Decrease for the Mercedes-Benz Cars Division in the U.S. for December 2008

- Total 20,848 of Units of Mercedes-Benz Cars Division Sold in U.S.

- Mercedes-Benz USA Records December Sales of 18,507

- smart USA Records 2,341 Sales in December

NEW YORK, Jan. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Daimler AG (stock exchange abbreviaton DAI) today reported sales for the Mercedes-Benz Cars division (Mercedes-Benz and smart combined) of 20,848 units in the U.S. for December 2008. All sales figures in this release are on an unadjusted basis unless otherwise noted.

Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) reported December sales of 18,507 vehicles, bringing the company’s total 2008 volume to 225,128, an 11.2 percent decrease over last year’s annual sales record. Sales of the C-Class model line rose 13.8 percent for the year, and sales of the M-Class SUV line-up increased by 1.3 percent.

smart USA recorded 2,341 sales in December 2008. Year-to-date sales for 2008 are an incredible 24,622 units. smart USA achieved this impressive sales volume in its first year of business in the U.S. market. American response indicates the micro-car segment is a viable transportation option and the smart fortwo is the right car at the right time in the U.S. The smart fortwo offers a powerful combination of outstanding fuel efficiency, innovative safety features, environmental friendliness and excellent value. The smart fortwo BRABUS will go on sale in the United States this January. There are currently 74 smart centers open in 35 states.

Detailed vehicle sales information for MBUSA will be announced later today in a separate press release issued by Mercedes-Benz USA.

                      Mercedes-Benz Cars Division in the U.S. Sales Summary
                                      Through December 2008

                           Month Sales        %        Sales CYTD         %
                         Curr Yr   Pr Yr   Change    Curr Yr   Pr Yr   Change
                         -------   -----   ------    -------   -----   ------
    Mercedes-Benz USA     18,507  27,269   -32.1%  225,128   253,433   -11.2%

    smart USA              2,341   n/a*     n/a*    24,622     n/a*     n/a*

    Mercedes-Benz USA/
     smart USA combined   20,848  27,269*  -23.5%* 249,750   253,433*   -1.5%*

    * smart sales in the U.S. started in mid January 2008

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About Daimler

Daimler AG, Stuttgart, with its businesses Mercedes-Benz Cars, Daimler Trucks, Daimler Financial Services, Mercedes-Benz Vans and Daimler Buses, is a globally leading producer of premium passenger cars and the largest manufacturer of commercial vehicles in the world. The Daimler Financial Services division has a broad offering of financial services, including vehicle financing, leasing, insurance and fleet management.

Daimler sells its products in nearly all the countries of the world and has production facilities on five continents. The company’s founders, Gottlieb Daimler and Carl Benz, continued to make automotive history following their invention of the automobile in 1886. As an automotive pioneer, Daimler and its employees willingly accept an obligation to act responsibly towards society and the environment and to shape the future of safe and sustainable mobility with groundbreaking technologies and high-quality products. The current brand portfolio includes the world’s most valuable automobile brand,

Mercedes-Benz, as well as smart, AMG, Maybach, Freightliner, Sterling, Western Star, Mitsubishi Fuso, Setra, Orion and Thomas Built Buses. The company is listed on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt, New York and Stuttgart (stock exchange abbreviation DAI). In 2007, the Group sold 2.1 million vehicles and employed a workforce of over 270,000 people; revenue totaled euro 99.4 billion and EBIT amounted to euro 8.7 billion. Daimler is an automotive Group with a commitment to excellence, and aims to achieve sustainable growth and industry-leading profitability.

SOURCE Daimler AG