Mercedes-Benz Starmark Pre-Owned Program Finishes 2000 With High Sales

      Certified Pre-Owned Program Adds a Host of New Components for 2001

    MONTVALE, N.J., Feb. 9 On the heels of the highest annual
U.S. certified pre-owned sales in its history, Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) is
further refining its industry-leading Starmark pre-owned vehicle program.
Culminating the year with an extraordinary 26.7 percent increase over 1999 in
certified pre-owned vehicle sales, the company intends to implement additional
advertising initiatives in 2001 as well as update to the Starmark Web site.

    "The 12 years of experience as a trailblazer in certified pre-owned
vehicle programs has enabled us to monitor and refine our program based on
customer feedback so that we reinforce the quality, value and security
associated with the Starmark program," said Ray Dupell, department manager,
pre-owned marketing.

    As a growing number of off-lease Mercedes-Benz vehicles come into the
pre-owned market as a result of the phenomenal new vehicle sales over the past
few years, Starmark will allow customers to search national inventory on the
Internet.  This allows customers to locate Starmark vehicles that match their
specifications anywhere in the U.S. or within a selected distance from their
ZIP code.  Customers can also access the nationwide search by model and/or
body style, price range, distance and state through MBUSA.com by clicking on
"Starmark Pre-Owned."  At present, users can access a field of over 6,000
pre-owned vehicles.

    To enable clients even greater precision in searches, further enhancements
to the selection criteria will be implemented in the near future.  Customers
will be able to search for pre-owned vehicles by mileage and then sort their
search results by color, price or distance.  Soon thereafter, engine type and
transmission selections will enable our clients to refine their searches even
further.

    Augmenting its Heritage campaign, which began last year and included an
integrated advertising campaign consisting of a long-format infomercial,
print, radio and online efforts, this year's marketing campaign will emphasize
the unmatched quality, value and security associated with the Starmark
Certified Pre-Owned Program.  MBUSA intends to expand its innovative marketing
communications efforts throughout the year with new commercials on national
cable, spot TV, direct response, and radio, as well as ads in newspaper and
magazines.

    "A strong emphasis will be placed on attracting a younger, value-conscious
client base while maintaining our traditional client base," said MBUSA's
Dupell.  "Our research shows that many Starmark buyers intended to purchase a
new near-luxury vehicle, but then considered a Starmark vehicle because of the
value associated with our program."

    "Buying a Starmark vehicle gave me the opportunity to upgrade from another
class, another vehicle. I was able to go out and purchase an S-Class.  I was
able to get more features, more luxuries.  So, basically I was able to get
more for the dollar," said Sandy Rosenberg, a recent Starmark client from
Jericho, NY.

    The Automotive Lease Guide, a benchmark for residual values, underscores
the "value" component for MBUSA.  Mercedes-Benz products are ranked among the
best in the luxury segment for residual value performance.

Starmark offers previously-owned Mercedes-Benz models for both lease and
purchase.  While the typical Starmark model is a three- or four-year-old
vehicle, cars up to eight years old are available and can be covered until
they reach up to 11 years or 100,000 miles.  All Starmark vehicles are
carefully selected to ensure that only the best cars are designated
"Starmark."

    These vehicles must pass a 130-plus point inspection performed by factory
trained technicians and are then reconditioned to bring them as close as
possible to like-new condition.  The standard Starmark warranty coverage
carries no deductible and covers the vehicle for 12 months to a mileage cap of
100,000 miles.  It is factory-backed as opposed to being administered by third
parties (common among other programs).  Coverage, which includes most major
components, begins after any existing new car coverage expires.  At the time
of sale, customers may purchase a Starmark Extended Warranty to continue the
coverage to four years or up to 100,000 miles.  The program includes a 7-day
or 500 mile exchange privilege.