Mercedes-Benz USA Joins Forces With Saks Fifth Avenue as a National Sponsor Of Fashion Targets Breast Cancer

MONTVALE, N.J., Sept. 17 -- Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) is joining forces with Saks Fifth Avenue to raise awareness and funds for the Council of Fashion Designers Association's (CFDA) Fashion Targets Breast Cancer (FTBC) in a four-day charity shopping event, Sept. 18-21, which complements MBUSA's sponsorship of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.

This year, Mercedes-Benz USA is underwriting the FTBC events held at all 61 Saks Fifth Avenue stores in the U.S., including, New York City; Atlanta; Boston; Houston; Bal Harbor, FL; Chicago; Beverly Hills; Dallas; Short Hills, N.J.; and San Francisco during the four-day shopping weekend. MBUSA's sponsorship also includes a unique offering of 61 special-edition versions of the all-new 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK500 Coupe that are being built for Saks Fifth Avenue for the FTBC program. The CLK500 Coupes will be integrated into the four-day shopping event. MBUSA will make a donation to FTBC for every special-edition CLK500 Coupe sold.

Proceeds from the four-day charity shopping event held at Saks Fifth Avenue stores across the country will help fund various local and national breast cancer organizations. To date, FTBC has raised six million dollars to benefit these organizations.

"Women buyers are obviously an important constituency for us and we want to address not only what interests them, like fashion, but also the issues that are important to them, like breast cancer which affects one in eight women in the U.S. in their lifetime. We think this partnership with Saks and the CFDA makes a meaningful contribution to informing about, and addressing, this issue," says Dave Schembri, vice president of marketing for Mercedes-Benz USA.

The 61 special-edition coupes feature an exclusive color-combination with an exterior known as "Saks Fifth Avenue" blue and stone leather interior. Some exciting features of the new coupe include a powerful V8 engine, 17-inch AMG alloy wheels, an AMG styling package and a wood/leather steering wheel. In addition, each special-edition vehicle comes complete with a special amenities package, including customized items such as a limited-edition cashmere car blanket, sterling silver key ring, leather note pad and wallet, all designed by Baldessarini for Hugo Boss. Each coupe also comes with a specially designed floor mat that is adorned with both the Mercedes-Benz and Saks Fifth Avenue logos. The special-edition Mercedes-Benz CLK500 Coupe will be sold through participating Mercedes-Benz dealerships. The MSRP for the all-new 2003 CLK500 Coupe is $57,365 (includes destination charges).

MBUSA's sponsorship of the FTBC initiative will include a prominent display of the CLK500 Coupe in key locations at Saks Fifth Avenue stores during the four-day shopping event.

The spokesperson for this year's FTBC is Iman, supermodel, philanthropist, businesswoman, wife and mother. Iman recently launched her second beauty company called I-IMAN. In addition to supporting breast cancer research, Iman is actively involved in several other charitable initiatives, including Mother's Voices, Action Against Hunger, The Children's Defense Fund, and The For All Children Foundation. Iman will appear in the FTBC public service announcement and will host the opening night kick-off of Fashion Targets Breast Cancer on Sept. 18 at the Saks Fifth Avenue flagship store in New York City.

MBUSA, headquartered in Montvale, New Jersey, is responsible for the sales, marketing and service of all Mercedes-Benz vehicles, parts and accessories in the United States. With the most diverse portfolio within the luxury automotive market, Mercedes-Benz features sedans, coupes, wagons, roadsters, and SUVs. In 2001, the corporation achieved an all-time sales record of 206,638 new vehicles, setting the highest sales volume ever in its history.

The company supports a variety of philanthropic and cause-related events and activities that reflect its corporate values, among them include those that advocate and empower women through the issues that are important to them.

Saks Fifth Avenue is a part of Saks Fifth Avenue Enterprises, which includes 61 Saks Fifth Avenue stores nationwide, 51 OFF 5th Outlet Stores and saks.com. Saks Fifth Avenue Enterprises is a member of the Saks Incorporated group.

For more information about Fashion Targets Breast Cancer, please visit http://www.mbusa.com or call toll-free (888) 771-2323.