Mercedes-Benz Gears Up For Fashion Week Philanthropic Project to Benefit Children

NEW YORK, Feb. 4 -- In addition to the new Fall 2002 Collections shown during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, title sponsor Mercedes-Benz will help launch a special program to benefit the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF). Mercedes-Benz will also debut its all-new 2003 SL coupe/roadster during the week long event, February 8 - 15, 2002.

This season, Mercedes-Benz has asked fashion designers and celebrities to customize a toy Mercedes pedal car for children -- a pint size version of the legendary 300 SL roadster from the 1960s. More than 55 designers and celebrities are participating in the program to benefit the EGPAF including Oscar de la Renta, Tommy Hilfiger, Donna Karan, Britney Spears and Rosie O'Donnell. The pedal cars will be auctioned on eBay.com beginning February 8, the opening day of Fashion Week, and will run through February 17th. Bidders can also go to http://www.MBUSA.com to place a bid on these special works of art.

Each pedal car reflects the creative interpretation of the designer. Variations range from a look-alike toy lion with custom-dyed Italian shearling fur and suede seats designed by Luca Orlandi for Luca Luca to a ``couture sports car'' designed by Douglas Hannant, which dons mink seats, iridescent caviar beads and a crocodile-skin covered steering wheel and gear lever.

MBUSA will be unveiling the custom-designed pedal cars on February 8, Opening Day of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Bryant Park, with New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg conducting the ribbon-cutting ceremony to kick-off Fashion Week.

``The commitment, creativity and enthusiasm from the fashion and entertainment industry to support this worthy cause has been tremendous,'' said Dave Schembri, vice president of marketing at MBUSA. ``We are hoping to support more collaborative efforts to help those in need through our partnership with 7th on Sixth and Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.''

Mercedes-Benz will also introduce the all-new 2003 SL coupe/roadster during the Fall 2002 Collections. The new SL500 will mark the fifth generation of the highly successful series, which began in 1954 with the legendary ``Gullwing'' 300SL. To showcase the world-famous design and style of this legendary model, MBUSA will be featuring vintage Mercedes-Benz SLs throughout the week.

Mercedes-Benz's multi-year agreement with IMG's 7th on Sixth division, the show's producer and management company, began with the Fall 2001 Collections held in February 2001 in New York City. Created in 1993, 7th on Sixth organized, centralized and modernized the American Collections, and continues to revolutionize the way New York Collections are presented and funded.

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC, located in Montvale, New Jersey, is responsible for the sales, marketing and service of all Mercedes-Benz vehicles, parts and accessories in the United States.