Mercedes-Benz USA Extends Endorsement Contract With LPGA Superstar Annika Sorenstam

MONTVALE, N.J., June 30 -- Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) has extended its endorsement agreement with LPGA superstar Annika Sorenstam through 2005. The current agreement, which began at the "Battle at Bighorn" in July 2001, was scheduled to end this year. Terms of the extension were not released.

"I am very proud to be part of the Mercedes family," said Sorenstam, winner of five major women's championships. "We have developed such a strong relationship, and I am excited to see it grow."

MBUSA's sponsorship of Sorenstam is part of a greater strategy to reach out to female buyers. In addition to sponsoring the LPGA's Golf Clinics for Women series, MBUSA developed the Mercedes-Benz Women's Golf Day, an annual, full-day instructional and exhibition experience focused on loyal customers and prospects, utilizing Sorenstam as the centerpiece of the program.

"Annika reflects the core attributes that we believe Mercedes-Benz maintains -- drive, commitment to excellence and innovation," said Michelle Cervantez, vice president of marketing for MBUSA.

"Mercedes-Benz USA has used golf as a marketing platform for more than 10 years. With Annika, we can fully realize the reach the sport has into the female marketplace."

MBUSA says it will continue to utilize Sorenstam as part of the Mercedes-Benz Women's Golf Day initiative, but will also look to expand her visibility with the brand through a more integrated marketing approach, including web-based initiatives.

Annika Sorenstam already has three LPGA Tour victories in 2003, including the LPGA Championship (the fifth major victory of her career), The Office Depot hosted by Amy Alcott, and the Kellogg-Keebler Classic.

MBUSA also has endorsement deals with Ernie Els and Jeff Sluman on the PGA TOUR, and with Doug Tewell on the Champions Tour. The relationship with Els began this year at the MASTER'S Tournament in April, while Sluman and Tewell have been sponsored by Mercedes since 2000.

About Mercedes-Benz USA

Mercedes-Benz USA is headquartered near New York City in Montvale, NJ and is responsible for the U.S. sales, service and marketing of Mercedes-Benz cars and light trucks as well as the Maybach super-luxury sedan. MBUSA employs about 1,500 people in 20 different locations around the nation. In 2002, the company sold 213,225 vehicles through a nationwide network of over 300 retailers in the U.S., setting the highest-ever sales volume in its history for the sixth straight year.