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Mercedes-Benz New U.S. Factory Delivery Program Goes 'X-Tra Mile'

17 November 1999

Mercedes-Benz New U.S. Factory Delivery Program Goes 'X-Tra Mile' for M-Class Clients

    MONTVALE, N.J., Nov. 16 -- Customers purchasing the award-
winning Mercedes-Benz M-Class can now put their new SUV through its paces just
a short walk from its birthplace in Tuscaloosa, Ala.  A new factory delivery
program, called Experience The Source, combines personalized M-Class delivery
with a factory and museum tour, the option to ride through a brand new
two-mile obstacle course and take a first-class road trip through the heart of
the South.
    The program complements Mercedes-Benz USA's European Delivery Program
which allows clients who purchase a vehicle manufactured abroad to combine the
pick up of the order at the Mercedes-Benz factory in Sindelfingen, Germany
with a European vacation.
    Since Experience the Source debuted last February, orders to lease or
purchase an M-Class have steadily increased and clients around the country
have taken advantage of the program.  "This factory delivery program surpassed
all others -- and I've tried most of them," said Robert Ramsdell, of Sunapee,
N.H., who has participated in other European delivery programs.
    Ramsdell's 17-year-old daughter accompanied him to Alabama to pick up an
ML430 in June.  "The experience was beyond wonderful because of the delightful
personal guided tour through the factory.  I personally loved the one-on-one
consultation with the technical specialist who explains every inch of your new
SUV.  He gives you the attention and detail you need to get to become
acquainted with your vehicle before you drive it home."
    Clients can place an order for an ML320 or ML430, and the soon-to-be-
released ML55 AMG, at an authorized Mercedes-Benz light truck retail center
where all arrangements for a factory pickup are handled.  Clients can also
obtain information about factory pickup by accessing Mercedes-Benz U.S.
International's corporate Web site, http://www.MBUSI.com.
    "As Mercedes-Benz forges ahead in creating personal relationships with its
clients, Experience the Source provides a unique opportunity for clients to
meet the people that produce and stand behind the M-Class," said John Stech,
product manager, light trucks, MBUSA.
    Once an order is placed, All Seasons Travel, a Birmingham, Ala., travel
company contacts the retailer to make the necessary arrangements for the
client.  All factory delivery clients receive complementary shuttle service
from the airport to the plant; a personal guided factory tour; lunch; Visitor
Center tour; 30-day temporary license tags; and the opportunity to experience
a new off-road test track located on the 1000-acre factory site.  All Seasons
can also arrange vacation packages and first-class road trips through the
Alabama countryside.  Depending on vacation interests, clients can take
advantage of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail Package, named after the famous
golf course designer that includes a sightseeing and golf vacation or the
Explore Alabama package, a sightseeing tour of Alabama's historic sites.
Hotel accommodations include a choice between two four-star hotels in
Birmingham, the Wynfrey Hotel or the historic Tutwiler, both discounted for
factory delivery clients.
    "This is the perfect opportunity for clients to see first-hand how the
award-winning M-Class is assembled in Alabama, plus take advantage of our new
two-mile off-road test track to experience the M-Class' true off-road
capability," said Thomas Struthwolf, assistant manager, Visitor Center, MBUSI.
"A certified driver takes clients for a demonstration ride in an M-Class
vehicle through tough terrain that includes steep inclines, water and pot
holes, gravel, railroad ties, log, bridges and water crossings, a stair and
rock climb, and torsion tests."
    The Ramsdell family said the highlight of their factory delivery was the
off-road test track.  "My daughter and I both thought the off-road track
experience was extremely exciting," recalled Ramsdell.  "The little elements
add up to make the entire experience absolutely delightful and to top it all
off, we got to experience a little taste of Southern hospitality."