Mercedes-Benz Receives Honored Marque Award- Popular Mechanics Magazine Presents Top Award to Mercedes-Benz

Popular Mechanics Magazine Presents Top Award to Mercedes-Benz

LAS VEGAS, Feb. 1 -- Mercedes-Benz has received the coveted Honored Marque award from the editors of Popular Mechanics magazine. Editor-in-chief Joe Oldham presented the award to Mercedes-Benz USA president and CEO Paul Halata at the Automotive Hall of Fame awards ceremony held here today in conjunction with the annual convention of the National Automotive Dealers Association.

"The annual Popular Mechanics Honored Marque award was created by our auto editors to recognize the great auto manufacturers that have had a lasting impact on the American motoring scene in a meaningful and enduring way," said Oldham. "When you consider milestones, or longevity of existence, or you start listing accomplishments and innovations in the car business, all other brands fall by the wayside in comparison."

The Honored Marque award recognizes nearly 120 years of Mercedes-Benz automotive innovation and achievements, ranging from the 1886 Benz Three- Wheeler to the 2004 SLR McLaren supercar. Along the way, Mercedes-Benz has distinguished itself with milestones such as the 1902 Mercedes Simplex that established basic car architecture for the entire auto industry, the first diesel-powered car in 1936 and the legendary 300SL Gullwing sports cars in the 1950s, as well as safety technology firsts that include crumple zone design, ABS anti-lock brakes, traction control, ESP stability control and PRE-SAFE.

While the company has long recognized its unique heritage, Mercedes-Benz celebrated its impressive history by establishing a Classic Center in Fellbach, Germany in 1993. Now the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center USA, created along the lines of the renowned Fellbach facility, is the first such operation to be established in the United States by an automotive manufacturer. The U.S. Classic Center provides specialized services for Mercedes-Benz classic vehicles (models at least 20 years out of production) via its web site (www.mbusa.com/classic) and toll free number - 1-866-MBCLASSIC (622-5277) - including parts purchasing assistance and technical information. The Classic Collection, a boutique featuring Mercedes-Benz classic accessories and automobilia, can be reached through the web site or the toll-free number.

With a move planned later this year to a new facility in California, Classic Center operations will expand to include the purchase and sale of classic vehicles as well as appraisal and repair services. An inventory of vintage Mercedes-Benz vehicles will be on hand, in part to recreate the unique Mercedes driving experiences from past years.

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 2003, the company sold 218,717 vehicles through a nationwide network of over 300 retailers in the U.S., marking its tenth consecutive year of annual sales gains.