The Auto Channel: North America | Europe

Mercedes-Benz Financial Expands Role with the Entrepreneurs' Organization

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich., May 18, 2006 -- Mercedes-Benz Financial is renewing its support of the entrepreneurial spirit that drives business greatness by expanding its partnership with the Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO), a global peer community of entrepreneurs dedicated to supporting, educating and encouraging one another to build upon their personal and professional success.

The EO Global Student Entrepreneur Awards (GSEA) presented by Mercedes- Benz Financial, and the EO Accelerator Program, will come under the partnership umbrella this year. These newly sponsored programs will fall within an existing agreement in which Mercedes-Benz Financial supports a Global Leadership Conference -- designed to train EO member leaders -- in Washington, D.C., May 18 - 20, and the EO Chicago University, a gathering of approximately 450 EO members to learn and network August 16 - 20.

"This partnership is a natural for Mercedes-Benz Financial," said Juergen Rochert - Vice President, Mercedes-Benz Financial. "Working with an organization dedicated to strengthening local economies on a worldwide basis by helping entrepreneurs improve their operations is a perfect fit for our core value of financial and social responsibility. Our customer base, especially the Mercedes-Benz dealers in this country, understands and represents the entrepreneurial spirit that EO is dedicated to advance and reinforce."

Darton Case, President of the EO Global Board of Directors, said the partnership with Mercedes-Benz Financial will enable the Entrepreneurs' Organization to advance its vision to build the world's most influential community of entrepreneurs.

"Having the program support of Mercedes-Benz Financial will enable EO to nurture tomorrow's business leaders as they strive for economic development in their communities," Case said.

The GSEA program recognizes exceptional entrepreneurial spirit, skill and creativity among undergraduate college students who already are running their own businesses. Regional competitions take place in 10 regions around the world with the winners from each advancing to the global finals in Chicago.

  A panel of judges will select winners in three categories:
  --  2006 Global Student Entrepreneur who embodies the overall criteria for
      the GSEA and will receive a $10,000 prize plus an invitation to attend
      an EO University
  --  2006 Innovation Award which recognizes creativity in a business
      concept with a $3,000 award plus the opportunity to be mentored by an
      EO member for one year
  --  2006 Social Impact Award recognizing a student business owner who has
      addressed a community need through his or her business.  The winner
      will receive $3,000 and the opportunity to be mentored by an EO member
      for one year.

The EO Accelerator Program extends EO educational programs currently offered to its members to the community of emerging entrepreneurs who might not yet qualify for EO membership.

This program consists of a series of seminars addressing the needs of first-stage entrepreneurs, including mentorship, sales and revenue development, staffing, goal setting and strategic planning and sound financial systems and practices.

About Mercedes-Benz Financial

Mercedes-Benz Financial provides financing for Mercedes-Benz dealers' inventories and their retail customers. Currently, 350,000 drivers in the United States enjoy the benefits of leasing or financing their Mercedes-Benz vehicles through Mercedes-Benz Financial, which is part of DaimlerChrysler Financial Services Americas LLC. DCFSA's group of companies operates in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico and South America. DCFSA is part of the DaimlerChrysler Financial Services Group, headquartered in Berlin, Germany, which operates in 39 countries and has an employee base exceeding 11,000 and a global portfolio of approximately $139 billion. DaimlerChrysler Financial Services Group is one of the leading financial services enterprises worldwide. For more information visit http://www.mercedesbenzfinancial.com/ .

About the Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO)

The Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO) -- for entrepreneurs only -- is a global community that enriches members' lives through direct peer-to-peer learning, connections to experts and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. EO is the catalyst that enables entrepreneurs to learn from each other, leading to greater business success and an enriched personal life. EO is comprised of more than 6,000 members in more than 40 countries, with an average member age of 37 and average annual revenue of US$12.5 million. The organization is committed to building the world's most influential community of entrepreneurs. For more information on EO or to apply for membership, visit http://www.eonetwork.org/ or call +1.703.519.6700.