Autos

Mercedes-Benz M-Class

Biggest gainers

Segment: Luxury SUV
2008 Sales through March: 9,507
2007 Sales through March: 7,401
Change: +28.5%
Starting price: $44,825

U.S. sales for the Mercedes-Benz M-Class are up, while sales of the bigger GL-Class (not to be confused with the more expensive and extremely square G-Class) are down. Under the skin, Mercedes shares power trains and other components among the M-Class, the GL-Class, and the R-Class, all built in Alabama. Sales are down for the other two cousins, but the M-Class improved in 2007 and again in 2008. A face-lifted M-Class goes on sale this spring for the 2009 model year. The run-out of the older M-Class included a "Special Edition" with extra standard equipment.