MBUSA Honored With Virtual Enterprises, International Crystal Leadership Award

MONTVALE, N.J., April 8 -- Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) will receive the 2005 Crystal Award from Virtual Enterprises, International (VE) -- the New York City Department of Education program that offers high school students the opportunity to learn business concepts and experience a simulated business environment. The Crystal Award honors industry leaders for their outstanding commitment to Virtual Enterprises, International. Joining MBUSA are award recipients Florence Jackson, executive secretary, Advisory Council for Career & Technical Education and John Ferrandino, president, National Academy Foundation who will also be honored at the Virtual Enterprises, International Trade Fair breakfast today in New York City.

As a company with a tradition of supporting organizations focused on education and youth, MBUSA has been a partner of VE since 2003, serving on both the VE Advisory Board and Scholarship Committee, judging the annual VE Business Plan Competition and presenting the Mercedes-Benz USA Technology Award to the winning business plan teams. MBUSA also underwrites the participation of a VE team at Automotive High School in Brooklyn, NY, one of the only schools in the U.S. that offers a comprehensive automotive curriculum at the high school level.

"With a leadership position in the industry comes a responsibility to give back -- to be supportive of the next generation by sharing knowledge and experience with students," said Paul Halata, president and CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA. "MBUSA is committed to helping children develop the skills they need to reach their full potential and our partnership with Virtual Enterprises helps us work toward achieving this goal. To be recognized with the Crystal Leadership Award is not only an honor, but it also reaffirms our belief that our efforts can make a difference in the community."

A Virtual Enterprise is a simulated business class designed to give students the experience of working in a real business environment. The students determine the nature of their business, its products and/or services, and its management and structure. Students then conduct business transactions with other Virtual Enterprises teams at high schools across the United States.

"Since 2001, we have presented the Crystal Leadership Award to individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to helping young people make the transition from school to career," said Iris Blanc, director, Virtual Enterprises, International. "This year we are pleased to honor Mercedes-Benz USA for embodying this commitment and exceeding our expectations of a business partner with their ongoing support."

Pioneered in New York City schools, the Virtual Enterprises, International Program has drawn national attention as an applied learning instructional model for business, economics, finance and career education. The concept has grown in the U.S. to include programs in over 300 secondary and post-secondary schools. Students in each Virtual Enterprise engage in a variety of activities ranging from marketing and research, advertising, buying and selling products or services, paying wages and taxes, managing personal finances, to negotiating loans.

Mercedes-Benz USA

Headquartered in Montvale, N.J., MBUSA is responsible for the sales, marketing and service of all Mercedes-Benz and Maybach products in the United States. Through its philanthropic program, MBUSA focuses on educating and empowering future generations, particularly those who are underserved. The company views education as an opportunity to ensure that as many of today's youth as possible are given the tools, guidance and support they need to reach their full potential. More information on MBUSA and its products can be found on the Internet at http://www.mbusa.com/ and http://www.maybachusa.com/.

Virtual Enterprises, International

Virtual Enterprises, International, is an innovative program of the New York City Department of Education, Office of Career and Technical Education. A Virtual Enterprise (VE) is a simulated business that is set up and run by students with the guidance of a teacher/facilitator and a business partner. This program allows students to experience, in a simulated business environment, all facets of being an employee in a firm. This workplace simulation enables students to understand how employees, workgroup teams, and departments interact with each other and work together for the goal of the company. To learn more about Virtual Enterprises, International, visit http://www.veinternational.org/.