Mercedes Celebrates Owners' Love for Their Cars MBUSA Seeks Photos of Owners with their Cars(No Naked Pictures, Send Those To TACH)

MONTVALE, N.J., Feb. 13, 2004 -- For those who were under-whelmed by the blender or socks from their Valentines this year, Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) is inviting its owners past and present not to miss out on celebrating another, more unique long-term relationship by submitting a photo of themselves with their other love -- their Mercedes-Benz. The company is collecting photos of owners' enduring love affairs online at www.mbusa.com/lovemercedes and is considering using some of the photographs in an upcoming ad to demonstrate the special bond between owners and their vehicles.

"It's no secret that Mercedes owners tend to be some of the most faithful in the industry. On the practical side, there's good reason - their cars are made for long-term relationships. Some 72 percent of all Mercedes ever bought in the U.S. are still on the road today," said Michelle Cervantez, vice president of marketing for MBUSA. "More importantly, there's an emotional connection with the brand that makes ownership of a Mercedes 'Unlike Any Other' and that's what we're looking to capture."

Over the past decade, Mercedes-Benz has expanded its product offering from under a dozen to nearly 40 models designed to fit the evolving lifestyles of its customers and to bring new buyers into the Mercedes-Benz family. Today the company complements its traditional popular sedans with coupes for sporty individualists, convertibles for worshippers of open-air driving, wagons for busy families and those who need versatility as well as sport utility vehicles for that combination of off-road capability and passenger car handling.

Owners are asked to send a photograph of themselves, or their family with their favorite Mercedes. Photographs can be submitted digitally on www.mbusa.com/lovemercedes or mailed to Love Mercedes, c/o Clear, 119 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10003. Photographs must be postmarked by March 1, 2004.

About Mercedes-Benz USA

Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA), headquartered in Montvale, New Jersey, is responsible for the sales, marketing and service of all Mercedes-Benz and Maybach products in the United States. In 2003, MBUSA achieved an all-time sales record of 218,717 new vehicles, setting the highest sales volume ever in its history and achieving ten consecutive years of sales growth. More information on MBUSA and its products can be found on the Internet at www.mbusa.com and www.maybachusa.com.