The American Heart Ass. Receives a Million Dollars From Mercedes-Benz

          Yankees' Manager Joe Torre Pitches in to Honor His Brother

    DALLAS, March 13 Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) contributed to
the fight against heart disease recently with the presentation of an
$850,000 check to the American Heart Association at MBUSA's New Jersey
headquarters.  Additional services provided by MBUSA, including pro bono
advertising, raised the total value of the contribution to the American Heart
Association to well over $1,000,000 for the year.
    
    American Heart Association Chairman, William J. Bryant Esq., and Joe
Torre, manager of the New York Yankees, whose brother, Frank, received a heart
transplant in 1996, accepted the donation from Paul Halata, president and CEO
of MBUSA.  The money was raised by Mercedes-Benz dealers nationwide who hosted
local amateur golf tournaments as part of the Mercedes Dealer Championships.

    With 15,000 players participating in over 200 local tournaments hosted by
Mercedes-Benz dealers across the country, the winners then competed in six
regional tournaments.  Eleven of these foursomes advanced to the national
finals in Maui, Hawaii, which was played in conjunction with the PGA Tour's
2001 Mercedes Championships.  In January, a team representing Mercedes-Benz of
Houston/Greenway, Texas won the national final for the amateur tournament, and
Jim Furyk won the professional tournament at Kapalua Resort's Plantation
Course.

    "The continued support of the American Heart Association from
Mercedes-Benz USA, their dealers and customers will greatly aid the American
Heart Association in our mission to reduce disability and death from
cardiovascular disease and stroke," said American Heart Association Chairman,
William J. Bryant Esq.